tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67166275296144646372024-03-14T10:39:35.211-06:00Thots from PadreSermons from Father Phil Eberhart
Resurrection Anglican Fellowship
Greenwood Village, Colorado, USAFr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-75890736983296347222023-05-14T07:45:00.003-06:002023-05-14T07:45:54.581-06:00A Time of Pruning ... and fruitfulness<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 14,
2023<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br />
Mother’s Day / Easter 6<br />
Fr. Phil Eberhart<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
time of pruning… and fruit bearing<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So much
has happened in the past month that I’m struggling to capture it all in a 20
minute talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been using the words
“PLANETARY SHIFT”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND “SEISMIC EVENTS”
to describe the events in Africa for the Anglican Communion at the GAFCON
conference in Kigali and the events in our own state and nation, in the 21-day
Fast and Prayers for Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I
say a “planetary shift” I mean that the Anglican Communion has severed ties
with England and the Archbishop of Canterbury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>England has decided to go the way of The Episcopal Church in the US and
the Church of Canada in its liberalism and approach to marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They have
abdicated the rights of headship in the communion and now, 85% of the provinces
have simply said NO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does that mean
for us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will probably add a line to
our sign:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GLOBAL ANGLICAN
COMMUNION!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see the cloth began tearing
for us 20 some years ago. And the tear just now came all the way through to the
English church!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like watching a
train-wreck in slow motion!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We will
watch with interest here in the USA and the ACNA, but we have gone on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>20 years on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m reminded of a friend who called me to mourn with me the fact that
the Episcopal bishop was defrocking many of us who left, six years later!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked me if I was experiencing any
internal pain over the proceedings, announced in The Denver Post for all to
see!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him that my greatest pain
was that I might lose my clergy discount at Cokesbury!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a lot of pain, six years later!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just so, now, the separation with Canterbury
was almost a foregone conclusion in the very first GAFCON in Jerusalem, 15
years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a line in the
Jerusalem Declaration that says we do not have to go through Canterbury to get
to Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a shot across the
bow, almost 2 decades ago, that has gone unheeded.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
recommend the new document from GAFCON, “The Kigali Commitment.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is clear and was masterfully done, allowing
the whole of the conference to have substantive input.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<div style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 2.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends, we are in great company, in a global family that is
tied together by Word and Spirit, by Liturgy and Mission together around the
globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is doing a great work that we
can be proud to be a part of.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The last
weekend was our kickoff in Pagosa Springs of 21-days of fasting and prayer for
Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve watched any news, times
are heating up in the Holy Land right now, so the call for a time of fasting
and prayer was “FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Last
weekend we had a 12-hour marathon of prayer and worship in Pagosa Springs as we
pressed in to a state-wide call to Stand with Israel as a united church across
the state of Colorado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were about
200-300 who came during the 9 am to 9 pm service at Restoration Fellowship in
Pagosa Springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on Monday we had a
meeting at a close by lodge for friends from 4 states, who are a part of the
prayer movement to support Israel and Jewish people as things heat up in the
Middle East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>REZ is in the middle of God’s
plan in our placement on this Holy Hill and in the midst of the Jewish people here
in Greenwood Village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re actively
involved in local outreaches and ministry that stretches around the globe from
Colorado and from our little parish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hope that you have been able to join in some of the fasting and prayer opportunities
that are afforded us in this season. We have posted resources in the Constant
Contact and ways for you to access events, from noon communion to evening prayers,
and I want to invite you to the culmination service of the 21-days on
Pentecost, May 28<sup>th</sup> in the evening at 7 pm at Church in the City/Beth
Abraham.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We will
close the 21-days with an evening Holy Communion service for all who can attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be joining with over 100 million
intercessors around the world as we pray and take communion together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The rest of the world seems to be discovering something that
we have known for a while:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there is
special power and grace that comes to us through the Holy Communion, and it is
a “means of grace” and a sign of our unity in Christ across the whole Body of Christ
around the whole world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now to
the sermon!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our
gospel this morning is from just after the table of the Last Supper, after the
foot washing and the discussion of betrayal among the disciples. The 13<sup>th</sup>
and 14<sup>th</sup> chapters of John’s gospel capture those moments, and then
Jesus takes them on a walk from the city through the Kidron Valley, past the
vineyards on those hillsides to the Garden of Gethsemane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way, as was his custom, I was
teaching and using the surroundings to make his points.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Walking
past the vines of the vineyards in the valley, he points out what they all know
about tending grape vines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he adds
some important facets to the conversation: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am the
vine and my Father is the vinedresser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fruitfulness is his goal and pruning is the way forward for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfruitfulness results in our being “cut off”
from the vine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as we are attached
and remain attached to Christ, we begin to bear fruit, more fruit and even MUCH
fruit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all familiar with the line
of Jesus, “Apart from ME, you can do NOTHING!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends,
with the world shaking the way it is, and the times that we live in – that seem
to be coming apart at the seams;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like
Esther, we have been born “for such a time as this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in a crisis – seems like crisis after
crisis after crisis!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I want to
remind you that crisis is simply a “dangerous opportunity” – it is like the prophetic
word and picture that we received over 25 years ago about the WAVE coming
across the land – it is both JUDGEMENT AND REVIVAL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The secret here is in being prepared<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- being ready.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God is
pruning the Church right now, worldwide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is getting the Bride ready for the coming of the Bridegroom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His expectation and our responsibility is to
lean in – to press into what God is doing both locally and around the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are days like no other,
friends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That means
that we need to stay closely attached to Jesus Christ, in prayer and by reading
the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By doing the things that make
for growth in the Body of Christ from ACTS 2 – what we have been about for
almost a decade now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DEVOTION TO THE
APOSTLES’ TEACHING, TO COMMON LIFE AND FELLOWSHIP, TO COMMUNION AND EUCHARISTIC
HOSPITALITY, AND TO PRAYER!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After all
that I’ve been away to do over the past 4 weeks, I am more convinced than ever
that we are right, smack dab, in the middle of God’s hand and God’s plan for
this church.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two
words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get Ready!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ABIDE IN
JESUS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through prayer, reading His Word,
taking communion, fellowship with other believers in community. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BE FILLED
WITH HIS SPIRIT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from Me you can
do nothing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PRAY FOR
THE HARVEST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke 10:2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray at 10:02 every day. Set an alarm!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BE WILLING;
BE AVAILABLE; BE OBEDIENT – God has a plan and purpose for you every single day,
as you “live and move and have your being” in HIM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an adventure here if you are willing
to live it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">LOOK
UP!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is doing things in our time that
are extraordinary, planet-shaking, seismic events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look to God daily for all that He is doing
and wants to do, in and through you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pay
attention to the pruning, because the fruit of the Kingdom of God is at hand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s
pray together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh God of
infinite power and might;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Creator and
sustainer of all things, in heaven and on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look up to You, Lord, for our today,
tomorrow and our forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give us your grace
today, as we come to your table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Empower
us to live as ONE and to give an answer for the hope – the excitement – the joy
that we feel even in the midst of the uncertainties of our life today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open our eyes to see Your hand at work in the
world around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And send us, Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We say, Here am I, Send me!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the
name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-75249052894708839402023-02-24T11:34:00.000-07:002023-02-24T11:34:48.580-07:00Last Sunday of Epiphany - TRANSFIGURATION: OPEN OUR EYES, LORD!<p> <b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">LAST
EPIPHANY / </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">TRANSFIGURATION</span></b></p><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
2/19/23<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FR. PHIL
EBERHART<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">OPEN OUR
EYES, LORD!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
prayed this prayer for the Ephesian Church:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="label"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">17</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">that </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">See Rom. 15:6</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">[Col. 1:9]</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of
revelation in the knowledge of him, </span></span><span class="label"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">18</span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">[Heb. 6:4;
10:32; Rev. 3:17, 18]; See Acts 26:<b><u>18</u></b></span></span><span class="content"><b><u><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">having the eyes of your
hearts enlightened</span></u></b></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">, that you may know what is </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 4:4; [ch. 2:12]</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">the <i><u>hope to which he has called you</u></i>,
what are </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 3:8,
16; Col. 1:27; See ver. 7</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">the <i><u>riches of his glorious inheritance in
the saints</u></i>, </span></span><span class="label"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">19</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">and
what is the <i><u>immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe,</u></i> </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 3:7; Phil. 3:21; Col. 1:29; 2:12</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">according to the working of </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 6:10; [Dan. 4:30]</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">his great might </span></span><span class="label"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">20</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">that
he worked in Christ </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">See Acts 2:24</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">when he raised him from the dead and </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">See Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33; 1 Pet. 3:22</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">seated him at his right hand </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">See ver. 3</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">in the heavenly places, </span></span><span class="label"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">21</span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 4:10;
Col. 2:10; See John 3:31</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">far above </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">1 Cor. 15:24</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">all rule and authority and power and dominion,
and above </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 3:15;
Phil. 2:9; [Heb. 1:4]</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">every name that is named, not only in </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">[Matt. 12:32]</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">this age but also in the one to come. </span></span><span class="label"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">22</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">And </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">Cited from Ps. 8:6; See 1 Cor. 15:27</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">he put all things under his feet and gave him
as </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 4:15;
5:23; Col. 1:18; 2:19; [1 Cor. 11:3; Col. 2:10]</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">head over all things to the church, </span></span><span class="label"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">23</span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 4:12,
16; 5:30; Col. 1:18, 24; [ch. 5:23; <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">1 Cor.
12:27]</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">which
is his body, </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 3:19;
See John 1:16</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">the
fullness of him </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ch. 4:10</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">who fills </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">[Jer. 23:24; Col. 3:11]</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">all in all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is a transfiguration that is waiting for
each of us – a moment when we see Jesus for Who He is, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that that time has already come for
you, but in our world, so time and flesh bound, I can only hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul speaks of that time being like the
removal of a veil from over our eyes… from in front of our faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He veil that Moses used over his face was
used to keep eyes from seeing and turning away from the glory of God that was
captured by his skin, as he only looked at God’s back side!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the veil eventually became a block to the
eyes – preventing them from seeing God at all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just a few verses later, Paul speaks of the
deceiver “blinding minds of unbelievers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe our prayer needs to be for spiritual eye-sight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Blind Bartimaeus we need to cry aloud to
Jesus that we might see!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is one of
the major signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus referred to it many times, when
announcing his ministry in his home town of Nazareth and when talking to John’s
disciples about his ministry in Israel:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>“The
eyes of the blind are opened.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes the physical portends the spiritual
reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much of our world that we
speak of as Christians is UNSEEN.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are both angelic and demonic realms
around us, that are for the most part, invisible to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is defined as <i>“the evidence of
things NOT SEEN.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Paul prays
over and over that our eyes – the eyes of our hearts – would be opened.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This can only happen by God’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a kind of healing. A removal of a
veil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it comes through faith and
prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was something that Paul prayed for as he
prayed for his church plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
essential equipment for the believer. Have you ever tried to drive while
blindfolded? Duh!! NO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t even
walk while blindfolded – yet many of us go through life blindfolded
spiritually.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pray with me for God to remove the veil – the
blindfold, so we can see Him AS HE IS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was what happened to Peter, James and John on the mountain in
today’s Gospel reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus showed
them WHO HE WAS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who HE IS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that </span></b></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“<i>Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of him”</i></span></span><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> yields some
significant fruit in our lives:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You come
to know three things…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="content"><b><span style="color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b></span><!--[endif]--><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the </span></b></span><span class="content"><b><i><u><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">hope to which he has called you</span></u></i></b></span><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hope is a big four-letter word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like an internal, nuclear power plant!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It becomes the source of so much in the
spiritual life – have you noticed that a good deal of our spiritual life is
“waiting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope is essential equipment!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hope is the root of our assurance in
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Prophet Hosea called it a
doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is its embodiment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Paul prayed that the Christians would <i>“abound
in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></b></span><span class="content"><i><u><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Look around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been the priest for this church now
since 1996.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen lots of faces come
and go over those many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do
you see when you look around you here today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you look at our faces gathered on Zoom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you see here is THE RICHES OF HIS
GLORIOUS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is what Paul is praying for!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eyes open
to the spiritual realities around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CS
LEWIS said it this way in “The Weight of Glory:”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); font-family: "Roboto Slab"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><i>It is a serious thing to live
in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and
most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if
you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and
a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day
long, we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these
destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is
with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all
our dealing with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all
politics. <strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Roboto Slab"; padding: 0in;">There are no ordinary people.
You have never talked to a mere mortal.</span></strong></i></span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The riches of His
glorious inheritance in the saints!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3. the </span></b><span class="content"><i><u><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">immeasurable greatness of
his power toward us who believe,</span></u></i></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God’s power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Immeasurable by definition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Almost goes without saying doesn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But here’s the kicker:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>toward us who believe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="line" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span class="content"><b><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We live in a world that is inebriated with
power!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gathering it, holding it,
wielding it over others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is a
different kind of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t
power to climb upwards, but to go lower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus modeled this kind of power for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is the power of the KINGDOM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is the power of SERVANTHOOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is God’s power, that is used to send a Son that was …<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="line" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">despised and rejected</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+53&version=ESV#fen-ESV-18715b" title="See footnote b"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">b</span></sup></a></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> by
men,</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">a man of
sorrows</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+53&version=ESV#fen-ESV-18715c" title="See footnote c"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">c</span></sup></a></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> and
acquainted with</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+53&version=ESV#fen-ESV-18715d" title="See footnote d"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">d</span></sup></a></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> grief;</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+53&version=ESV#fen-ESV-18715e" title="See footnote e"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">e</span></sup></a></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">and as one from whom men hide their faces</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+53&version=ESV#fen-ESV-18715f" title="See footnote f"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">f</span></sup></a></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">he was
despised, and we esteemed him not.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="line" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">4 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">Surely
he has borne our griefs</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">and
carried our sorrows;</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">yet we esteemed him stricken,</span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">smitten
by God, and afflicted.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><b><sup>5 </sup></b>But he was pierced for our
transgressions;</span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">he was
crushed for our iniquities;</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,</span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">and with
his wounds we are healed.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hannah Hurnard
wrote a book called <i>“Hinds Feet on High Places.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In it she wrote of the song that the water
sings as it cascades down the mountains:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s called <i><u>The Water Song.<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></p>
</div>
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span></i></b>
<div class="WordSection2">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Come, oh come! let
us away--</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">Lower, lower every day, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">Oh, what joy it is to race</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">Down to find the lowest place. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;"><br />
This the dearest law we know--</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">"It is happy to go low."</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">Sweetest urge and sweetest will,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">"Let us go down lower still."</span></b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Hear the summons
night and day</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">Calling us to come away.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">From the heights we leap and flow</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">To the valleys down below.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;"><br />
Always answering to the call,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">To the lowest place of all.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">Sweetest urge and sweetest pain,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="background: white;">To go low and rise again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span></b>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our life in
Christ is to be lived in such a way as to reflect HIS humility as it is posited
for us in Philippians 2:5-8:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">5 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">Have
this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil+2&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29380a" title="See footnote a"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">a</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">]</span></sup></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>6 </sup></b>who,
though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a
thing to be grasped,</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil+2&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29381b" title="See footnote b"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">b</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">]</span></sup></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>7 </sup></b>but emptied
himself, by taking the form of a servant,</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil+2&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29382c" title="See footnote c"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">c</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> being
born in the likeness of men.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>8 </sup></b>And
being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the
point of death, even death on a cross.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The point that I’m making here is that this Power
of God is not exercised in human ways, not available for human
aggrandizement!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is God’s Power “<i>towards
us who believe”</i><br />
(<i><u>Dunamis</u></i>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dynamite/Dynamo)
that is exercised through us, for others, in servanthood and humility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not OUR POWER! </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It's HIS POWER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never forget that little fact!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So what now?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Transfiguration,
or another word we use is Transformation, comes out of a root word in the Greek
from which we get the word METAMORPHOSIS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paul ends his thoughts about the veil over Moses face in 2 Cor 3 with
this line:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="label"><span style="background: white; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">18</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">We can all draw close to him with the veil
removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who
brightly reflect the glory of the Lord <i>Jesus</i>. </span></span><span class="fr"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">3:18</span></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;"> Or “We all, with unveiled faces, behold
the glory of the Lord as in a mirror.”</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> We are being transfigured </span></span><span class="fr"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">3:18</span></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;"> The Greek verb </span></span><span class="it"><i><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">metamorphoō</span></i></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;"> is the same word used for Jesus’ being
transfigured on the mountain (</span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">Matt. 17:2</span></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">; </span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">Mark 9:2</span></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">) and for our transfiguration through the
renewing of the thoughts of our minds (</span></span><span class="note"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">Rom. 12:2</span></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">).</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> into his very image as we move from one
brighter level of glory to another. </span></span><span class="fr"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">3:18</span></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;"> The source of our transformation comes
from Christ’s glory, and the destination we are brought to is more glory. The
transforming glory is the result of gazing upon the beauty and splendor of
Jesus Christ.</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> And
this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Friends, God is calling us and has given us the equipment to
be transfigured like He was on the mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Transformed from “Glory to Glory” by the power of the Spirit of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That transformation come from … I love the
phrase that David used in the psalms … <i>“beholding the fair beauty of the
Lord!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The fact is, what we look at,
we become like!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And that means that we need to see differently, “<i>with eyes
wide open to the mercies of God”, </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and thus be “Transfigured, transformed, in the
process of metamorphosis”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">CS Lewis added a final comment in his book:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); font-family: "Roboto Slab"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">Next to the Blessed Sacrament
itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is
your <u>Christian neighbor</u>, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him
also Christ <i>vere latitat</i>—the glorifier and the glorified, Glory
Himself, is truly hidden.” </span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: #F9F9F9; color: #444444; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We need to look at the world and at one another
differently, with eyes wide open to the real value and power of each person,
especially those of the “household of faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Look around this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask God
to open your eyes to see others the way He sees them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask God for open eyes to see Him as He is, in
our midst, the King of Glory, and the King of Peace.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: #F9F9F9; color: #444444; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: #F9F9F9; color: #444444; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pray with me as we sing the Gospel Song again:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open our Eyes, Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoTitle"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Open Our Eyes, Lord<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">By Bob Cull<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Open our eyes, Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We want to see Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">To reach out and touch Him, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and say that we love Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Open our ears, Lord <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and help us to listen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Open our eyes, Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We want to see Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Soften our hearts, Lord, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">melt us and mold us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Make us Your vessels,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">O pour out Your Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">To bring joy and gladness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to those who have sorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Open our eyes, Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We want to see Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">© 1976 Maranatha!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-85089768519178527782023-02-06T09:29:00.000-07:002023-02-06T09:29:58.095-07:00World Mission Sunday - Feb 5, '23<p> <b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">EPIPHANY V</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY<br />
February 5, 2023<br />
FR. PHIL EBERHART<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">TO THE ENDS OF
THE EARTH<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You may have
already noticed something different about this Sunday:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is GO Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you listened to the scriptures this
morning, these are phrases that we heard:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="background: #F1F1F1; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Listen to me, O
coastlands,</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: #F1F1F1; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and give attention, you
peoples from afar.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="background: #F1F1F1; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I will make
you as a light for the nations,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: #F1F1F1; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> that my salvation may
reach to the end of the earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="background: #F1F1F1; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Kings shall see and
arise;<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: #F1F1F1; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> princes, and they shall
prostrate themselves;<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2 Let your way be known upon earth,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">* your saving health among all nations.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="background: #F1F1F1; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4 O let the nations
rejoice and be glad,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: #F1F1F1; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">* for you shall judge the peoples righteously, and
govern the nations upon earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="background: #F1F1F1; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7 God shall bless
us,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: #F1F1F1; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="color: #585858; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">* and all the ends of the world shall fear him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">And while staying with them he ordered them not to
depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he
said, “you heard from me; </span><sup style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">5 </sup><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">for John baptized with water, but you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">37 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is
plentiful, but the laborers are few; </span><sup style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">38 </sup><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into his harvest.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">TO THE ENDS OF
THE EARTH<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyone here aware
of a theme?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I’ve said it before…
the word GO appears in Scripture over 1500 times!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our mission is out there, not in here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our particular mission is to Greenwood
Village, to Denver, In Colorado, USA and to the ends of the earth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The vision of God
and the mission of God [MISSIO DEI] has always been with the <u>whole world</u>
in view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Israel and The Church are His
instruments of salvation -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s People
have always been “blessed to be a blessing!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From Day ONE!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I come from the
land (not Israel) – the land that produces a harvest!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wheat country!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up firmly in the wheat belt that
stretches from East Texas all the way up to central Montana!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And each year harvesters travel the zig zag
of I-35, I-70 and finally I-25 as they follow the sun, harvesting the wheat of
America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we too are commissioned to
travel the highways and byways of this land, following the SON and harvesting
the SOULS of America!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that too direct
a comparison?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s look back
at the Scriptures we’ve just heard again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus called himself “the Lord of the Harvest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we please keep that statement as our
baseline!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ is the chief
harvester!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is HIS HARVEST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is NUMBER ONE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HIS HARVEST!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Number 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HIS HARVEST IS ABUNDANT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no lack of potential in this harvest
– it is abundant!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was a kid, my
dad’s main concern was for the yield and there was a comparison of yields among
the farmers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes friendly competition
is a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farmers across the
country compete in two areas:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
straight their rows are; and how big the yield is from the field!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The yield is what pays the bills!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Farming is the
biggest GAMBLE in the world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes
Las Vegas pale by comparison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You take ALL
your time and ALL your money and you plant it in the ground and tend it for 51 weeks,
and in 1 week you “put in the sickle for the harvest is ripe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t wait a day longer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because forces of nature may bring hail, and
everything is lost!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one in Las Vegas
ever gambles everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farmers do it
every day!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">NUMBER
THREE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray Ye Therefore!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Do you remember
our famous quote from Oswald Chambers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Prayer
isn’t preparation for the battle;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it IS
the battle.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends, we are to beg the
Lord of the Harvest, to send forth laborers into His Harvest!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those are words
we need to pay attention to:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Deomai:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the word is used 22 times and it is almost always
translated “to beseech”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or “to beg of
God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would say it is to strongly, to
urgently “cry out” to God for His answer.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and Ekballo:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have you ever had
a piece of sand or dirt or a splinter … <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in your eye?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How strong is the urge for you to get it out
of there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Transfer that urge to the
mission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s
EKBALLO:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">to cast out, drive out, to send out</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(over 80 times in NT)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="background: #F9FAFB; border: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 2.0pt 4.0pt 2.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p style="background: #F9FAFB; border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt; mso-padding-alt: 2.0pt 4.0pt 2.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">to command
or cause one to depart in haste<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: #F9FAFB; border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt; mso-padding-alt: 2.0pt 4.0pt 2.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">to
cause a thing to move straight on to its intended goal</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="background: #F9FAFB; border: solid #C5D2E0 1.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 2.0pt 4.0pt 2.0pt 4.0pt;">
<p style="background: #F9FAFB; border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #C5D2E0 .75pt; mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt; mso-padding-alt: 2.0pt 4.0pt 2.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">to lead one forth or away
somewhere with a force which he cannot resist<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So here is the sense
of the command from Jesus: (from the Passion Translation)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="label"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">37</span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">He turned to his disciples and said, </span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span><span class="content"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #ff3d4d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are
not enough harvesters to bring it all in.</span></span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="label"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; display: inherit; font-size: 0.85714rem; margin-right: 0.28571rem; padding: inherit;"><span style="color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span data-usfm="MAT.9.38" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; transition: background-color 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.42, 1, 0.16, 0.93) 0s; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">38</span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">
</span></span><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #ff3d4d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">As you go,
plead with the Owner of the Harvest to <b><u>thrust out</u></b></span></span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="content"><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span><span class="fr"><span style="border-radius: 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 4px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline-block; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; transform: scaleY(0.85); transition: transform 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.42, 1, 0.16, 0.93) 0s, opacity 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.42, 1, 0.16, 0.93) 0s;"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">9:38</span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Greek word</span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span><span class="it"><i><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;">ekballo</span></i></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span><span class="ft"><span style="background: #EDEFEF; border: solid #D0D2D2 1.0pt; color: #777a7b; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-border-alt: solid #D0D2D2 .75pt; padding: 4.0pt;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">is
used many times in the Gospels for driving out or casting out demons. The Lord
of the Harvest must cast the laborers out into the harvest fields.</span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span><span class="content"></span><span style="background: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span><span class="content"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #ff3d4d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">many more reapers to harvest his grain!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I love the way
The Passion says it… AS YOU GO!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Passion of
God is for us to be GOING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we are
focused on the going that takes us to “the ends of the earth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for most of us, actually, “as you go”
means the every day interactions we have with the people around us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Willingness / Availability
/ and Obedience<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As You Go!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Part of the
reason we offer an invitation to come to relationship with Jesus Christ every
Sunday is to get it into our hearts, through our ears, every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you say when you are talking to
someone about Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Take your
bulletin home and cut out the part about the Invitation that we use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Friends, the problem
isn’t with the harvest!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is
with the laborers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The harvest is
on-going, from the time Jesus spoke these words!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is still abundant, standing in the fields
ripe for the picking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As most of you
know, I am someone who is involved in the World Missions Movement in the
Anglican Church and with other Christians and movements from around the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are supporters of Love for the
Least, Fr. Jerry & Stacey Kramer, missionaries in the Middle East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray for pastors in Israel and for
translators in Russia every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
pray for friends working in other Muslim majority countries, who we can’t
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Lord of the
Harvest is sending people every day, and we are a part of that process, of
sending and of being sent!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I hope that you
will take on the mission of God and the CO-Mission of Christ to GO, to SEND, to
Make Disciples of all the world. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you want
information about prayer for the unreached in the world click on this link:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.go31.org/">www.go31.org</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After we stand to
confess our faith in the Nicene Creed we will open the prayer flier with your
bulletin and join together in prayer for the nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I included this as a separate piece so you
can put it in your Bible and use it day by day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s stand.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-78792606802218517122023-01-29T08:04:00.000-07:002023-01-29T08:04:07.204-07:00Epiphany Series 4 - How Now Shall We Live?<p> <span style="font-size: 16pt;">Epiphany IV<br /></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Jan 29, 2023<br /></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How Now Shall We Live?<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have you ever considered Newsweek a prophetic
source?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let me quote...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”Every age has its illusions. Ours has been
this fervent belief in the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">power of prosperity. Our pillars of faith are
now cracking about us. We<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are discovering that we cannot, as we had once
supposed, create<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">prosperity at will... Worse, we are learning
that even great amounts of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">prosperity won’t solve all our social problems.
Our Good Society is<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">disfigured by huge blemishes: entrenched
poverty, persistent racial<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tension, the breakdown of the family, and
staggering budget<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">deficits. We are being rudely disavowed of our
vision of the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The result of a deep crisis of spirit that fills
American’s growing self-<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">doubt, cynicism with politics, and confusion
about our global role.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Any wild guesses on when that was written?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">March, 1992!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moral leadership is rare today! 3 or 4 decades
ago, the then Secretary of Health and Human Services called for a “renewed
sense of personal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">responsibility,” in a lecture at Yale University.
He spoke about<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">America’s unwise choices concerning morality
and our national<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">sense of values. There was a “diminishing
confidence in our<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">willingness and ability as a society and
individuals to make sound<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">judgements about healthy human behavior and
lifestyles.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He urged the University to work towards a
revitalized “culture of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">character.” a return to old-fashioned values: “self-discipline,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">integrity, responsibility for one’s actions,
perseverance, moderation,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">commitment to serve others.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Does that sound familiar? Does it ring any
bells for us as The Church?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps we, first of all, should BE the change
we want to SEE! 30 plus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">years on, we are further down the rabbit hole
than ever before. The<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">words of Paul from Romans 1 ring in our ears
with amazing loudness and clarity today...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“... because they thought it was worthless
to embrace the true<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">knowledge of God, God gave them over
to a worthless mind-set, to<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">break all rules of proper conduct.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although they are fully aware of God’s
laws and proper order, and<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">knowing that those who do all of these
things deserve to die, yet they<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">still go headlong into darkness, encouraging
others to do the same<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and applauding them when they do!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Romans 1:28 & 32 TPT<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Friends, it seems the more the world changes, the
more it stays the same. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These words of Paul’s were about 1<sup>st</sup>
century Rome! Not Chicago or LA,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">or New York or Denver! But we’re there ... we’re
here, today, in a<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">culture that is fulfilling the worst that we
can be! Our ambition is upside<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">down and inside out! We’re flying upside down
at night. We’ve lost our<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">bearings! We’re on a course for a fiery crash
into our consequences!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So what do we do? As Francis Schaeffer asked, “How
Shall We </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Now Live? “</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I think the answer presented in this “Letter
to the American Church” is for us to look at Bonhoeffer or to an Anglican
examble, Sir William Wilberforce.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Have
you seen the movie, “Amazing Grace?”</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">There is a scene there in which Wilberforce goes to his mentor, John
Newton, Slave ship captain, now become priest in the CofE.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Wilberforce is struggling with his call to
politics over that of the priesthood, and to his destiny of helping England
deal once and for all with the slave trade.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The call to be involved in the political
system for Wilberforce was a holy calling, no less that that of John Newton to
the humble station of a priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Likewise we must discern what God is calling
us to DO in the face of our present societal ills.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Will we stand up?</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Will we say, “NO?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Bonhoeffer tells us that the Church is the
conscience of a society, of a state.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">How
do we live that out?</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Write letters to
congress-people; sign petitions; make calls?</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">How many do even that?</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Come with
me to the State House for a day or even a few hours of prayer.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Attend the local school board where you live.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Listen to what is being said, what is being
talked about, what is being taught in our elementary, middle and high
schools.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">You parents may need to find an alternative to
public education.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We’re already talking
about that with our kids about a 2 ½ year old grand-daughter and an unborn
grandson!</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Any day now!</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As a grandparent you may have to put your
money where your mouth is.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Turn over a
401-K for a couple years of education in a Charter or Private school.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I know that the one thing that Wilberforce
brought to the table was his willingness to be tenacious in his cause.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That is in fact the single quality that has
been of use in the decline of our society – The other side is tenacious!</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Wilberforce came back with a new bill, every
year – year after year after year.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Tenacity and perseverance is what gives power in the realm of
politics.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Interestingly, it also gives
power to us.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">To The Church.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">And the other prominent feature is Single-minded
Unity.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like the builders of the Tower of Babel in the
Old Testament, the Lord saw that they were <u>unified</u> by one language, and He
noted that “Nothing shall be impossible to them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The unified use of language is our third arena
of power in the culture.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We see that in
a “controlled-narrative” in today’s news media.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Language is used to create reality. Lies are repeated until they become “truth.”</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Usually truth that is hollow; truth that has
no substance in it – no reality behind it. You can literally “see through it.”</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">If you take the time to look.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I would recommend a cursory read of the book, “1984”
by George Orwell.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Eerily it rings in our
ears, as we look up from the book and watch the evening newscast, or listen to
the White House Press secretary briefings.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Orwell only missed it by about 25 years, cause we’ve been at this for at
least 25 years now.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Let me close with another quote, from Metaxas’
book:</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In his next to the last chapter,
titled “Religionless Christianity,” Metaxas says “we need a true and a deep Christianity,
one that is not merely “religious,” one that does not lie to God [like Adam and
Eve] with “fig leaves” of theological statements and creeds, but that
understands that we are to live out our faith with every atom of our being with
every second we have on this earth, and with every breath God gives us to
breathe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He concludes the chapter with these words:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“We need to act as though Truth is a Person
who knows no bounds, who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in
them, and who died that we who are the crowns of God’s creation might at last
live in true freedom, with the authority He gave us when He died and rose from
the grave!”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">a prayer of
self-dedication <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>William
Temple <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Almighty and eternal
God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations,
so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you;
and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare
of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-38003996294968607852023-01-29T08:00:00.000-07:002023-01-29T08:00:09.795-07:00Epiphany 3 - Truth In Love<p> <b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Epiphany
3<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jan 22, 2023<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Telling
Truth in Love<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the 4<sup>th</sup>
chapter of Ephesians Paul gives instructions for the growth and maturity of the
believers in the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Among many
repeatable phrases is one that I want to center on this morning:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eph 4:15<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">15 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">Rather, speaking the
truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the
head, into Christ,</span><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Truthing
is a way it could be translated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Speaking TRUTH is a verb!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
noticed that we live in a culture that has manipulated at best, the truth for
its own purposes, and at worst is leading us into a moral morass of darkness
based on out and out lies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“A man
can become a woman and vice versa.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Abortion
is women’s healthcare.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was
listening to Colorado Public Radio for their classical music this past week and
there is an ad that is running talking about the dirth of child pre-natal
services for the African-American community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I had an
idea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t you turn the Planned
Parenthood “clinics” into pre-natal care clinics – so that they give ACTUAL
help to prospective parents, without killing preborn children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would gladly help fund that with my tax
money!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today is
Celebration of Life Sunday and there was a March for Life in Washington last
week, on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It marked the 50<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision by the Supreme Court and is Year ONE of
creating a new culture of LIFE across the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And we have our work cut out for us here in Colorado!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were the first to abort babies and in the
face of the upcoming threat to RvW, in the last legislative session, Colorado
passed one of the most aggressive pro-abortion bills in history, in which we
only narrowly avoided the “infanticide bill” that was recently passed in
California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents can kill their child
up to 28 days after birth now in California.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is
madness – absolute lawlessness – and it is a crime against humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me be perfectly clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m going to preach about speaking the
truth, this had better be the first truth I speak to our culture!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us turn the tide of insanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to speak the truth to our culture
friends – not the “truth” they want to hear – that everything is relative (my
truth is my truth and your truth is your truth), but that there is one Truth
and that Truth is a PERSON!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That
TRUTH is GOD in JESUS CHRIST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Way,
THE TRUTH and THE LIFE, was how Jesus himself put it when describing himself to
his disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our
culture is like a child that will no longer hear the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want what I want and I want it NOW!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No tradition, no law, no constitution can
stand in my way to having my own way!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I want to
hold my hand over the candle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
there’s pain when I do that – it’s the natural consequence of holding your hand
over a flame!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pain is a
protective mechanism given us by GOD in creation to give us natural boundaries
for our behavior!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something is WRONG
HERE, pain tells us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DON’T DO THIS ANY
LONGER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But our culture’s solution is
not to agree with the pain to but drug it or, I have an idea, let’s sever the
nerve surgically!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>VIOLA, no more
pain!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold your hand in the fire all you
want!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We care about you and your well-being!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now I
grew up in Burlington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has feed lots
on both the north and the south sides of town now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been to Greeley, the home of Monfort
Cattle Co.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can anyone tell me what the
predominant smell is in Greeley or when the wind is right in Burlington?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two letters?!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BS!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s
simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth is simple. Truth is often
self-evident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boys are boys, girls are
girls, there are self-evident differences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we cut our ship
away from the anchor of simple truth, we are subjected to the force of the
wind.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">James
tells us that we will be “driven and tossed by the wind,” unable to receive
“truth” from the Lord, “unstable in all our ways.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A perfect
description of our culture today.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But speaking
naked truth is often harsh and can be destructive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hesitate to speak out because we will not
be heard. Truth is too hard to receive, too harsh, too stark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why the formula Paul offers is one
which adds an essential ingredient:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>LOVE.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In our
book, Metaxas is clear that you can’t have one without the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever spun a coin on a table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re successful at it the coin starts to
look like a sphere – it’s hard to distinguish either side from the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth and love are joined like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IN GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“To
declare any truth in a way that steps away from God’s Love is to speak no truth
at all, as well as to step away from the One who IS TRUTH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to claim that we are being loving when we
step away from the truth of God is not to love at all, but only to fool
ourselves into thinking we are being loving.” </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Metaxas, P.89) <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
whole of the coin is at play – both sides:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Truth and Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God Himself is
both!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said He was both-
simultaneously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything less is
inadequate for the need of our times.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
completes his thought on this in Ephesians 4:16…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">15 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">Rather, speaking
the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the
head, into Christ,</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>16 </sup></b>from
whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is
equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that
it builds itself up in love.</span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul goes
on to describe the world around him in graphic terms:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">futility of their minds<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">darkened in their understanding<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">alienated from the life of God<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">hardness of heart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">they’ve become callous<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> given themselves up to sensuality<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">greedy to practice every kind of impurity<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Headlines
for today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more we go on, the more
we remain the same!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get an even
fuller picture in Romans 1, as Paul describes his culture:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">29 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">They
were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice.
They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>30 </sup></b>slanderers, haters of God, insolent,
haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,</span> <span class="text"><b><sup>31 </sup></b>foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.</span> <span class="text"><b><sup>32 </sup></b>Though they know God's righteous
decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only
do them but give approval to those who practice them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
calls us -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus calls us to speak truth
to this culture in love!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost to
speak is going to be high today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
experienced the cost to speak out in our own church – as we were forced to walk
away from buildings and roots to begin something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were called names and accused of
abandoning ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first Archbishop
Bob Duncan once said, “When the horse you are riding is dead, it may be time to
dismount!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends,
God is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Son Jesus is THE
TRUTH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cannot be divided or separated.
Truth in Love is what we are called to speak to our culture, just as Paul was
called to speak, just a Jesus spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because
we believe that the chief end of Mankind – Humankind is to Love God and to
Enjoy Him forever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And our motivation
while on this small planet is to Glorify Him in all we do and say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To that end we must stand and speak out, in
love, to all who will listen and those who won’t, about the truth of God and
His Word to us through Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
beating people over the head with the 90# family bible, but opening it with
them, like a dinner invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come and
dine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There’s
something more that God has for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Come and See.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us
pray together again the collect at the beginning of the day:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Give
us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and
proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole
world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-29209240158321185482023-01-16T08:50:00.003-07:002023-01-16T08:51:22.091-07:00Epiphany 2023 Series II - WALKING IN THE LIGHT<p> <b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Second
Epiphany<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">January 15, 2023<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
<br />
<u><br />
Walking in the Light</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
morning we are graced with the Baptism of our dear precious, Lucy Adeline
Wallace. Once again I get to come full
circle, and one of the girls whose hands made this baptismal stole, is the mom
and presenter of her own child for baptism.
And I think that Grandma was the one who was responsible for the idea to
do the stole in the first place!! That
blame goes to Trish Brereton, proud grandma.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This morning
I want to continue with a series of sermons for Epiphany, with the title: Walking in the Light. I mentioned the practice last week, in the
East African Revival of the early 20<sup>th</sup> century, of “walking in the
light.” That practice was what fueled
the revival across all of the East African countries, from Rwanda, to Uganda,
to Kenya, and round to Tanzania and Burundi.
Like a wild fire, the Spirit of the Lord was poured out on the
countryside and it’s primary feature was indigenous worship, captured in the songs,
and especially the song Tukutendereza, and the practice of ‘walking in the
light.’<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Walking in
the light refers to 1 John 1:7 where John says, “<i>If we walk in the light, as
He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses us from all sin.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
mentioned this last week, in reference to the practice of reconciliation with
each other before the Holy Eucharist.
That is the purpose of the “Passing of the Peace.” It isn’t just half time, Virginia!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We share
the Peace of Christ, after Confession, to make sure that our relationships are
clear; our hearts are clean, before coming to the Lord’s Table! We reaffirm our love for and to one another
before coming to the Table together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
ever been at a holiday meal with tension in your family? Isn’t that the height
of fun?!! Eating with people you would
rather not be with. And with family that’s
especially fun!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But this
kind of thing is not to be so as we come in the Family of God to the Table of
the Lord! Why? Because it is here that we come with our
faces unveiled. It’s here that we come
to meet with God, face to Face! It’s
here that we apprehend and receive the GRACE of God and are transformed from
glory to glory, as we reflect the glory of God that is seen in the face of
Jesus Christ! Passing the peace with
each other is simply polishing our mirror!
As we look at Jesus, the HOST AT THIS TABLE, we reflect His glory and
are transformed into His image, from one degree of glory to the next.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the
glory of the Lord isn’t just to be held among us, it’s to be shared out from
us! How does that happen?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you
have interactions with people during the week?
And what do people experience when they come in contact with you and
your life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ll
never forget one of the children’s stories we did when we were first at St.
George’s, and I think Melissa and Natalie were in the group of kids that
morning. We took a pitcher of water, and
cup and a bowl and a dry sponge. Pouring
the water from the pitcher into the cup, we saw how God wants to pour his Life,
His Spirit, into our cup! But when the
cup was full the pitcher kept pouring! Oh OH!
So we put the cup inside the bowl. And it just sat there and overflowed.
Till the bowl was full too. Then we
dropped the dry sponge into the bowl and it floated. What did it need? To be baptized! Immersed, Sunk into the bowl. Why?
Because it needed to be filled up to be useful! Then what happened? It was full of water (the Spirit) and when it
got squeezed, everyone got wet! When we
get squeezed what comes out of us? Unless
we are filled with the Spirit, we are dry and crusty. Not really useful as a sponge, but what
happens when we are filled? We become
soft and pliable – “flexible” in the hand of God. Ready to be used by Him,
filled with the water of the Spirit – ready for what he intends for us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here ends
the Children’s Sermon!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What we
have here, friends, was never intended to stay here! This morning as you come to communion, dip
your finger in the Baptismal Water and think about the sponge! If you’ve been baptized, you’re a candidate
for filling … and filling … and filling again.
And you’re a candidate for going
and changing the world. A sponge is for
cleaning up messes!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you
believe that the world is in a mess? Duh! Who’s going to clean up? God is … using us! Are you ready? Sometimes its grimy and sometimes its sticky,
but water does wonders! Oh, and “elbow
grease!” Yeah. There’s some work involved.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
talked about that when he said that we are God’s workmanship; that we are intended
to be deployed! Salt and light! When I clean up after dinner, sometime there’s
a burned on mess in the pan, (especially if I’ve been cooking), and Val tells
me to add salt and scrub harder! It
becomes a cleansing agent, not just a seasoning, or a preservative!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The point
here is that we are not to keep what we find here to ourselves. And that is the point of Bonhoeffer’s “Letter
to the American Church.” We cannot just
be spectators any more, watching the world go by us on the news channels. So many of us moan and complain about the
state of the world right now but do nothing to change even the smallest mess!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If we are
willing to engage in the clean up, the messes will present themselves! Right? Preparedness meets The Mess and a “suddenly”
happens: Suddenly you have an
opportunity to make a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And small
differences add up. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When the
Church of Germany entered into the Nazi Regime, there were about 16,000 pastors
there. About 2,000 signed on with the
Nazi party’s platform at first; there
were about that same number who signed The Barmen Declaration, that rejected
the Nazi agenda, and many of those died in prison, like Bonhoeffer himself. But there were 12,000 who stayed quiet. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
ever noticed that SILENCE HAS A COST? Metaxas
writes of the Spiral of Silence:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “<i>When people fail to speak, the
price of speaking rises. As the <br />
price to speak rises, fewer
still speak out, which further causes<br />
the price to rise, so that fewer
people yet will speak out, until<br />
a whole culture or nation is
silenced.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we
call it The “Cancel Culture.” More and
more today are speaking out, but the silence is deafening! And the cost is real.<br />
We are asked in the book, “Are we willing to pay the price of speaking and
acting.” It’s really not enough to
complain, to cry or even to pray, though that is a great starting point. We MUST move to action. If we don’t very soon we are going to find
that our freedoms to “live and move and have our being” as Christians in this
country are being curtailed. In point of
fact, they are already being diminished, bite by bite.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
secret that our friends across the aisle have learned is the secret of eating
an elephant! One bite at a time. And it is the secret we need to learn as
well. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One of my
favorite quotes by a President came from Calvin Coolidge:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will
not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of
educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.</span>”<span style="color: #212529; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
would happen if we mounted a persistent campaign of witness in the world around
us?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
would happen if we made ourselves available to the God who wants to clean up
messes and change lives? Could we change
life on this planet? Yep ! That is the whole Christian message and the
whole program that Jesus set out for us.
All it takes is our three little words:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Willingness
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Availability<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Obedience<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And a bucket
of Persistence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let me
pray the collect of St. Andrew this morning over us:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Almighty
God, you gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call
of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are
called by your holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those
near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-42290598698170295652023-01-16T08:47:00.003-07:002023-01-16T08:47:57.903-07:00Epiphany 2023 Series I - SALT & LIGHT<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Epiphany 1<br />
Jan 8, 2023<br />
Fr. Phil Eberhart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Salt
and Light<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
morning begins a rare adventure for me and for us together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be speaking to the church from the
pulpit for the next 6 weeks, the majority of Epiphany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that there is both a sense of urgency
and a sense of breakthrough in the air right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I pray and as we share with other pastors
in the area, God is talking about our <i>first love,</i> about a RESET /
REBOOT, about the need to be courageous in the face of increasing darkness and
ungodliness in our culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, as
we enter this season of Epiphany, to be the LIGHT THAT WE ARE!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus, in
his Sermon on the Mount, refers to the Church as both Salt and as Light,
telling us in Matt 5: 16 to <i>Let your (our) light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m
reminded of the story that Del Tacket tells in the Truth Project videos about
doing the experiment with his son’ closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He opened the door and the light rushed into the dark closet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed the door and did it again:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once more the light rushed into the
closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several more time he opened and
closed the door and not ONCE – NOT ONCE – did the darkness ever fall out of the
closet as he opened the door!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Light
Always WON.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John, in
his preamble to his Gospel, says it this way:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">1 </span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>2 </sup></b>He
was in the beginning with God.</span> <span class="text"><b><sup>3 </sup></b>All
things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was
made.</span> <span class="text"><b><sup>4 </sup></b>In him was life,</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26038a" title="See footnote a"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">a</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> and the
life was the light of men.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><i><sup>5 </sup>The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.</i></b></span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some time
back with PromiseKeepers was still doing stadium events, this may have been at
Mile Hi with 80,000 men there, one of the teachers, said that the reason the
world is so dark is not a problem with the dark, it’s a problem with the light
– the world is a dark place by its nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s just dark being dark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
issue is with THE LIGHT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s US!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dark isn’t something!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nothing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the dimmest candle is lit and lifted up,
the dark is gone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The dark
never falls out of the closet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the
question is how can we be light?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">HOW CAN
WE BE LIGHT IN OUR WORLD TODAY?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Light is
first of all PRESENCE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If no light is
there, then there is darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
simple fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If those who are light or
who have the light, choose to not be present, then the darkness wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the light we bring isn’t just our
presence, it is HIS PRESENCE.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In my
work with Transform World and Ed Silvoso, he has been known to say that we, the
church, are “Mobile Arks of the Covenant!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the curtain was torn from top to bottom at the death of Jesus Christ,
God gave us access, full and final, into His Presence, but more than that
happened 50 days later, as the Fire of God came to rest on each one in the
upper room at Pentecost.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Peter,
that day quoted the prophet Joel, as he explained what was happening on the
steps of the temple: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">“‘And in
the last days it shall be, God declares,</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">that I will pour out my
Spirit on all flesh,</span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy,</span></span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">and your young men shall see visions,</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">and your old men shall dream dreams;</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white;">18 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white;">even on my male servants and female servants</span></span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall
prophesy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
urges us to be “transformed from glory to glory” as we “reflect the light of
Christ with “unveiled faces:”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">But
when one</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+cor+3&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28841c" title="See footnote c"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">c</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> turns
to the Lord, the veil is removed.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>17 </sup></b>Now
the Lord</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+cor+3&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28842d" title="See footnote d"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">d</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> is
the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>18 </sup></b>And we all, with unveiled
face, beholding the glory of the Lord,</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+cor+3&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28843e" title="See footnote e"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">e</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> are
being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+cor+3&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28843f" title="See footnote f"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">f</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> For
this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.</span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John
tells us that “if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all
sin” and further that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
forgive us and to cleanse us from all sin.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I
was instituted as the Rector of the this church, the preacher was the canon to
the Ordinary for the Diocese of Colorado, Canon Burt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His message was that 99% of the effectiveness
of most of ministry was involved with just being present – showing up!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends,
it is time for us to “show up” in our world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
series is going to be taking it cues from a book I’m reading right now by Eric
Metaxes, called “<i><u>A Letter to the American Church.”</u></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I urge you to get your own copy, and we’ll
place a link in this Thursday’s Constant Contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much remains to be seen in our country but we
are on a path that is getting more and more dangerous, every step of the
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me just share a single quote from
one of the chapters, attributed loosely to Dietrich Bonhoeffer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Silence
in the face of evil is itself evil!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
to speak, is to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to act is to
act. God will not hold us guiltless.”</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Over the
next few weeks I will consider with you, ways in which God may be calling us to
be LIGHT and SALT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are ways in
which we are seeing breakthrough right now, but there, as the song goes, “ is a
long way to go, and a short time to get there!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We as the Church of Jesus Christ are being called to let our light, the
Light of Christ, reflected in and from our lives, shine before the world around
us, in very real ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome to
Epiphany!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arise, Shine, for your light
has come!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the
Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-50149967771112522812023-01-16T08:42:00.000-07:002023-01-16T08:42:05.082-07:00Christmas Eve / Christmas Day 2022<p> <b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christmas
Eve 2022<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christmas
Eve / Christmas Day<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So happy
to see you out on Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the
only time of the year that you can be driving along in your car and suddenly
the Hallelujah chorus from the Messiah comes on the radio – and you almost want
to stop the car to stand up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
wonder of Christmas and the Christmas message is what fills our hearts these
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The message of God’s love and God’s
over-whelming commitment to us all in coming as a baby, being born in a
back-water barn, laying in a manger – a feed stall, surrounded by the animals,
and all that juxtaposed with the angels, the shepherds, and the visit from the
Magi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a lot to take in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask Mary!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When John
the Baptist, 30 years later, recognized Jesus, his cousin, coming to be
baptized, he said to those around him , “Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away
the sin of the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John
passed on a truth that I want us to think about this season:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This season wasn’t the last ditch effort,
plan Z, of a God who was out of options in dealing with mankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birth of Jesus, his life and death were
plan A in a story that began “before the foundation of the world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see God is God, and by definition, knows
the end from the beginning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sees all
of history, past, present and future as one piece!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows our choices, all of our ways, our
mistakes and sins, from beginning to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And God has chosen to love us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And further, He came to live among us – John said, “God became flesh and
dwelt among us.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in his letters,
he wrote, </span></b><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> “</span></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">That
which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have
seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our
hands, concerning the word of life—<sup> </sup>the life was made
manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the
eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—<sup> </sup>that
which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have
fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with
his Son Jesus Christ.</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> “</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A lot of
people look at the Christmas story as a kind of fairy tale!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s lots of cute-ness in the story, if
it weren’t so real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kind of down and
dirty:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a stable (have you ever been in a
stable?), farm animals, sheep, cows, camels, probably some chickens too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t fairy tale like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was earthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was willing to get his hands dirty!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He worked
in a carpenter shop with his father for 30 years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the savior was his second career!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a late bloomer as a rabbi!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All of
this, all the churches, all the songs, all the festivities, almost a third of
the population of the planet today who follow Jesus and more every day, growing
by more than the day of Pentecost (3000) every day… all of this, from that
manger in Bethlehem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one preacher put
it…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Here
is a man who was born in an obscure village as the child of a peasant woman. He
grew up in another obscure village. He worked in a carpenter shop until he was
thirty and then for three years was an itinerant preacher.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"He
never wrote a book. He never <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>held
an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college.
He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles
from the place where he was born. He never did one of the things that usually
accompany greatness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"He
had no credentials but himself. He had nothing to do with this world except the
naked power of his divine manhood. While still a young man the tide of popular
opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him.
Another betrayed him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"He
was turned over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was
nailed upon the cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the
only piece of property he had on earth while he was dying, and that was his
coat. When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through
the pity of a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Nineteen
wide centuries have come and gone and today he is the center of the human race
and the leader of the column of progress.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I
am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and
all the navies that were ever built, and all the parliaments that ever sat and
all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of
man upon the earth as powerfully as has this one solitary life."<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One
Solitary Life!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That is
the LIFE that we celebrate tonight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
LIFE is what all the hubbub is about!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whether we recognize it or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It all came from the manger in Bethlehem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it all ended on a cross outside
Jerusalem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then it started again
three days later when the Son of God was raised from the dead and the empty
tomb remains so today.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One
Solitary Life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Unending,
Indestructible Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is given to us
as a gift tonight<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-29181127101558816772023-01-16T08:39:00.003-07:002023-01-16T08:39:46.464-07:00Advent IV - Three Little Words: GOD WITH US<p> Advent 4<br />December 18, 2022<br />Fr. Phil Eberhart</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">THREE
LITTLE WORDS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Good
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome to our 4<sup>th</sup>
Sunday of Advent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spell check when I
was typing began to spell out ADVENTURE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I truly believe that that is the actual meaning of Advent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is inviting us into an advent-ure!! As we
are waiting on His coming, both commemorating Jesus’ birth and His second
coming, we are caught in the in-between time – what is called The Church
Age!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you know that we have a secret
sauce! A secret ingredient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We aren’t
left as orphans… we’re not alone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
gives us a great clue when he says to the disciples, “Apart from … <i><u>ME</u></i>
… you can do nothing!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is our
secret sauce!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the One who lives
His life both IN and THROUGH us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>COOL??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this morning, I will be just talking about
THREE LITTLE WORDS.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">GOD …
WITH … US<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Malcolm
Muggeridge is quoted as saying, <i>“the biggest challenge we have in praying,
is apprehending WHO it is that we’re praying to!” </i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">GOD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is the question of the ages, isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many are not even sure that there is a
God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God is <u>WHOLLY
OTHER</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing like us, but in Whose
Image we are created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God is
the <u>UNCAUSED CAUSE</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The One who
said “Let there be Light, and there was light.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He spoke and BANG, “the universe was.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are still discovering the extent of the universe more and more these
days through our space telescopes and other means;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the Bible simply says, “He also created
the stars.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">C.S. Lewis once said, <i>“I believe in
Christianity</i></span></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> as I believe that the sun has risen: not only
because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
tells us that the stars and creation speak, in total silence, yet louder than
we can hear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rom 1:</span></b><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">19 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For what can
be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="text"><sup>20 </sup>For his invisible attributes, namely, <u>his
eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived,</u> ever
since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.</span></span></i></b><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God communicates Himself to us in many, many
ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But always in ways that will
require us to have FAITH… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and Believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are active qualities for us, not simply
assent to precepts, but knowledge of a person – God, our Father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relationship. </span></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“OUR FATHER.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who taught us that phrase?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As He was teaching His disciples to pray, He introduced them to the <u>Love
of the Father</u>, both through His example and through His teachings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In another letter to the Church in Colosse,
Paul wrote that Jesus is, <i>“the visible image of the invisible God</i></span></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> …</span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <b>For
by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he is before
all things, and in him all things hold together.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></i><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Later on, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Romans, he writes:<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<u>from</u> him and <u>through</u> him and <u>to
</u>him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of our favorite songs is called “<i><u>You are My All in
All</u></i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All In All.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From Him and Through Him and To Him are all things!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is almost incomprehensible that a God who is bigger than
the universe; the One who quizzed Job with questions like…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">“</span><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Or…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Have you commanded the morning since your
days began,</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and caused the dawn to know its
place, or…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Where is the way to the dwelling of light,</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and where is the place of darkness,
or …<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Have you entered the storehouses of the
snow,</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">or have you seen the storehouses
of the hail, or …<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have you an arm like God,</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and can you thunder with a voice
like his?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So we have some idea of how BIG GOD is. But the
next (last) word catches us off guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">WITH…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re talking about God … right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the one thing that we need most of all, is immediately available to
us, in Jesus, the Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s His
Presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is WITH.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does that mean? GOD IS WITH…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Right next to us, sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St Patrick’s Breastplate says it this way:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: #F0EDD3; color: #0a3f64; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: #F0EDD3; color: #0a3f64; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4
Christ be with me, Christ within me,</span><span style="color: #0a3f64; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span style="background: #F0EDD3;">Christ behind me, Christ before me,</span><br />
<span style="background: #F0EDD3;">Christ beside me, Christ to win me,</span><br />
<span style="background: #F0EDD3;">Christ to comfort and restore me;</span><br />
<span style="background: #F0EDD3;">Christ beneath me, Christ above me,</span><br />
<span style="background: #F0EDD3;">Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,</span><br />
<span style="background: #F0EDD3;">Christ in hearts of all that love me,</span><br />
<span style="background: #F0EDD3;">Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: #F0EDD3; color: #0a3f64; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With … in every way … in every circumstance … in
all our victory and in all our pain… in all our comfort and all our
brokenness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is WITH.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This past week we had the joy of having Deacon
Aaron Eime from Christ Church, Jerusalem on our Diocesan Zoom Call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aaron has been here at REZ and is a great
Hebrew scholar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said to our clergy
this week that as the Israelites were building the Tabernacle in Exodus 25 and
26, God clearly directed the making of the Holy of Holies, where He would
dwell… that it would be made of <u>Skins</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All the rest of the structure was made of curtains, cloth and gold and
silver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God directed SKIN to be
where He dwells among men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And further,
that the construction of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness took 9 Months!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Any parallels there?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hmmmmmm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But additionally, the Hebrew word that is used to
dwell WITH can also be translated DWELL IN!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God With, becomes GOD IN!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In whom?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well… US!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">US… um… that’s you and me … AND … you and me
together!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Wherever two or three of
you come together, I will be there in your midst!<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">GOD ( Yeah, HIM) WITH/IN … say it:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>US!</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus, said, <i>“I am <u>with</u> you and I will
be <u>IN</u> you!”</i> (14:17)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></b></span><span class="woj"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I am the
way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="woj"><sup>7 </sup>If you
had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do
know him and have seen him.”</span></span></i></b><b><i><span style="background: #F0EDD3; color: #0a3f64; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul later said
to his friends in Phillipi:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For his sake I have suffered the loss of all
things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="text"><sup>9 </sup>and be found in him, not having a
righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes
through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—</span> <span class="text"><sup>10 </sup>that I may know him and the power of his
resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his
death,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I do not consider that I have made it my
own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward
to what lies ahead,</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="text"><sup>14 </sup>I press
on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I would say to
all of us, the door is open… open wide!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nothing stands in
our way… but us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ has
cleared the way through to a relationship with His Father, God, and proven
God’s unfailing love for us in his self-sacrifice on the Cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our prayer goes:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God extended His arms of Love on the hard wood
of the Cross, that everyone might come into the reach of His loving
embrace!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And that is the
call that comes with the invitation of Jesus…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><u>I AM</u> WITH YOU AND <u>I AM</u> IN YOU!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul said it this
way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; color: black;">It is no longer I who live, but Christ who
lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.</span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: black;">”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Three Little
Words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God … With… Us<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Immanuel …
Immanuel … Your Name is called:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Immanuel<br />
God With Us … Revealed in Us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your Name is
called Immanuel!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God With Us…
Revealed In Us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Lord Jesus
Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that
everyone might withing the reach of your saving embrace;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So clothe us with your Spirit, that we,
reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know You, to the
knowledge and love of You, for the honor of Your Name!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-11120658970743953512022-12-14T08:00:00.001-07:002022-12-14T08:00:28.856-07:00The Promises of Word & Spirit - Fr. Phil<p> <b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Advent 2<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dec 4, 2022<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Promises
of Word and Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today is
the second Sunday of Advent, the season of anticipation – of preparation – of repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the message of John the Baptist,
Jesus’ cousin, at the Jordan river:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Repent
for the kingdom of heaven is “at hand”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s close enough to touch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>This
is the message that had been preached by prophetic types for hundreds of years,
from Isaiah on down to Malachi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
picks up the messages of God’s judgement on evil and wickedness as the FORERUNNER
for the Messiah, his cousin Jesus of Nazareth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John’s
recognition of Jesus began early in his life – actually intra-uterine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never let anyone say that life doesn’t begin
until birth – John recognized Jesus, actually Jesus’ mother’s voice, and jumped
in Elizabeth’s womb!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proof of life at
conception!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you wanted it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s free!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today and today only!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John was
last of the line of Old Covenant prophets, and the FORERUNNER of the Messiah –
he referred to himself as the Friend of the Bridegroom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of his greatest lines in the light of
Jesus’ ascendancy in ministry, is “He must become greater; I must become less.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jn 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today’s
readings bring out the promises that were preached for many hundreds of years
about the Messiah:<br />
</span></b><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And the
Spirit of the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 107%;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> shall
rest upon him,</span></i></span><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the
Spirit of wisdom and understanding,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the
Spirit of counsel and might,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the
Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">.</span><br />
<span class="text"><b><sup>3 </sup></b>And his delight shall be in the fear
of the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="line" style="background: white; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">for the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">as
the waters cover the sea.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="top-1" style="background: white; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">10 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">In that day the
root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him
shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.</span></i></span><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The other theme that seems to be coming up is judgement,
based on the justice and righteousness of God – judgement that will be executed
by The Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a judgement that
begins “with the House of the Lord.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is one of the reasons that both John in our reading and later, Jesus, were so
hard on the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious “professionals” of their
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I said, the judgement of God, through Christ,
is based entirely on the concept of God’s Justice and on His Righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the <u>character of Jesus</u> that
forms the basis of the judgement that He brings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The call of John the Baptist was to
self-examination and repentance, in light of the coming Kingdom of Heaven;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>something that had been longed-for for 700
years, and now was “near enough to touch!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“At Hand…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So close that it’s in
the very next verses in Matthew 3!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus is revealed by John as “the lamb of God
that takes away the sin of the world!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus’ person and His mission are prophecied in these early words by cousin
John at the river and by the very voice of God at His baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll celebrate that in a few weeks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Prophet Isaiah spoke of Him early as
having the Spirit of God resting on him – Jesus himself is assigned to read this
passage as he reads in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth in the months
to follow… another one of those “lectionary” coincidences?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He read to his friends and neighbors…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,<br />
because the Lord has anointed me<br />
to bring good news to the poor;<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+61&version=ESV#fen-ESV-18845a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup><br />
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,<br />
to proclaim liberty to the captives,<br />
and the opening of the prison to those who are
bound;<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+61&version=ESV#fen-ESV-18845b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup><br />
<sup>2 </sup>to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,<br />
and the day of vengeance of our God;<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And in Luke 4 he adds, “Today, in your hearing, these Scriptures
are fulfilled!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the end of the reading this morning, John promises that Jesus
will send the same Spirit on us as was on Him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He describes is at “fire.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And <u>that</u>
prophecy came to fulfillment at the empowerment of the Church at Pentecost. And
it comes to fulfillment for us as we are confirmed in the life of the church
and as God’s Spirit dwells on us, individually and corporately, through the
Baptism in the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We at REZ, expect this experience as a norm for
our life together, and we expect to see its fruit in our midst, both in
character and in fruitfulness in ministry that is empowered by the Spirit of
God, as has been promised here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
expect FIRE!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I want to circle back and highlight again what
Jesus was prophetically given, sometimes referred to as the “Sevenfold” Spirit
of God:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SEVENFOLD
GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:</span></b><span style="color: #000505; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wisdom:</span></b><span style="color: #000505; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The
application of knowledge… to judge what is important, meaningful and to know
what to do with the knowledge of God… Sometimes coming with maturity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Understanding: Tied
to Wisdom </span></b><span style="color: #000505; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">because to truly understand something is different than just
knowing something. We refer to is as the 18” drop, from head to heart!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Counsel: </span></b><span style="color: #000505; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to be
able to differentiate between right and wrong, and to share it with others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fortitude: </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c</span><span style="color: #000505; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ourage
and endurance in the face of “longsuffering”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knowledge: </span></b><span style="color: #000505; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">based
in experience which helps us to know God actually. This is actually delineated
by two different Greek words in the NT.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Piety: </span></b><span style="color: #000505; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">practices
of a proper reverence for God; to obey a Holy God out of love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #693065; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Fear of the
Lord: </span></b><span style="color: #000505; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to have an inner awe of
God's presence; His holiness, goodness and unfailing love, that leads to a
disdain for sin.</span><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And we circle back here, because the Psalmist
tells us over an over that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We see these kinds of lists in other places in
Holy Writ:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Galatians 5:22 in the listing of the Fruit of the
Spirit – the inner character that the believer can expect to manifest in a life
“led by the Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, <br />
Faithfulness, Gentleness & Self-control”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s a whole different sermon series!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul delineates the Gifts, Workings and Effects
of the Spirit in 1 Cor 12, more things that we expect to see in our midst, as
we “keep in step with the Spirit of God” moving among and through each of us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Words of Wisdom, Words of Knowledge, Faith,
Healings, Miracles, Prophetic Words, Discernment of Spirits, Gifts of tongues
and interpretation of tongues”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All given “for the building up of the Body of
Christ” unto a mature “man”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally, Peter tells us that we are given the
Spirit of God AND the Word of God in order that we may become PARTAKERS IN THE
DIVINE NATURE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is another sermon
series!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter gives us steps, sometimes
called the Ladder of Virtue:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A similar list again reflecting the character and
virtue of Jesus and of the Father:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Add to your Faith;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodness;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understanding;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Self-control;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patient Endurance;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Godliness; Mercy and Unfailing Love.”<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sound familiar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Over and over and over and over again we are
given the charge by God to live lives that reflect who HE is – that SHINE with
the light of HIS FACE, reflected in and out of our lives, lived here in the church
and outside the church as we go about our daily lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we did this, would we stick out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uh huh!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There would be no question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would look SOOOOOO different, that the
world around us could not help but take notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peter, in his first letter put it this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i>Set apart Jesus as Lord, and be prepared
to give an answer to those who question the source of the hope that is in
you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always be ready to explain your
faith – with gentleness and respect.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<b>Friends, God wants to be in you – as close as your very breath. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has given his “breath” – His Spirit, to
rest upon you, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to dwell with you and to
be “In You!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the source of the
life of God that is manifested in you, through His Spirit, resting on you and
dwelling in you.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May we
open ourselves today to His Spirit – His FIRE – given as Gift to bring us to
the fullness of who HE is and Who We Are IN HIM.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the
Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-76915380605971958242022-11-22T22:08:00.000-07:002022-11-22T22:08:08.728-07:00Who do YOU say that I am? - Christ the King Sunday<p> <b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christ the King Sunday</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
Nov 20, 2022<br />
Fr. Phil Eberhart<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do YOU say that I am?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we have two
reaffirmations of Baptismal Vows and we have a baptism for Claira Early this
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so appropriate that it’s
all happening on Christ the King Sunday!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a sermon for all of us,
who witness these vows and reaffirm them ourselves, which we will do in
actuality at the baptism in a few minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The ultimate of ultimate
questions in our world is <i>“Who do you say Jesus is?” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus himself posed the question to his
disciples one day. Peter has some particularly special revelation in that
moment as he answered Jesus for the rest of the disciples:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i>You are the Christ, the Messiah, the Son
of the Living God.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus commended Peter and
acknowledged the source of that knowledge: God Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We call that the Great or the Good
Confession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That confession is the
golden nugget at the heart of the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our apprehension of who Jesus IS is the door
of our heart upon which we hear that knocking sound as He stands outside,
wanting to come in and eat dinner with us. (Rev 3:20)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul tells us that we must “confess with our
mouth that Jesus is Lord” – Lord means sovereign – King of kings / Lord of
lords!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is means is the Death Star
is NOT the ultimate power in the universe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nor is the “Force.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimate
power and authority has a Name… and it’s JESUS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is alive – that’s the second part of the confession that Paul says
must be believed in our hearts – that JESUS was “Raised from the dead.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is completely unique in that category!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Turn in your bulletin to the
reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This letter was written to answer questions that were surfacing in the
early Church about Jesus Divine Nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
were saying, as they continue today, that Jesus was simply a man, an extraordinary
man, but just a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Son of God, but
not THE Son of God, as He described Himself:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>ONLY BEGOTTEN.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul delineates the whole
picture in a few verses to the Colossian Church and to us by extension:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">15 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">He is the image
of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.</span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-29465" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">16 </span></sup></b>For by him all things were
created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were
created through him and for him.</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-29466" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">17 </span></sup></b>And he is before all
things, and in him all things hold together.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-29467" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">18 </span></sup></b>And he is the head of the body, the
church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in
everything he might be preeminent.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-29468" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">19 </span></sup></b>For in him all
the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-29469" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">20 </span></sup></b>and through him to reconcile to
himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by
the blood of his cross.</span><br />
<br />
</i><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Let’s focus our attention on some key words here:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">The IMAGE of the Invisible God…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">I believe the Greek word here is ICON
and the Latin is IMAGO…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He Is the “exact
representation of the Father” – the perfect visible image of God – He is God
with Us… with Skin ON!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">All things were created through him and
for him…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He was present as the voice
that said “Let there be light.”<br />
Father – Son – Holy Spirit all present and active in the act of creation – and continuously
active even now, because<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In him all things hold together…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus is the binding “force” in
the universe. It’s not a thing, the Force is a person!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person that can be known and loved,
worshipped and obeyed, talked to and heard from!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul later said to the Greek
Philosophers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i>In Him, we live and
move and have our being!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He is the head of the Body…<br />
</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We get our marching orders, our moving
directions, our motive force from Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Church is today’s living expression:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hands, feet, eyes, ears, mouth… nose to toes!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As He is, so are we in the
world</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the end of Ephesians 1 Paul
tells us that <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><u><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">22 </span></sup></u></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><u><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">… he [GOD] put all things under his [JESUS’] feet and
gave him [Jesus] as head over all things to the church,</span></u></i></span><i><u><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-29213" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">23 </span></sup></b>which is his [Jesus’] body, the
fullness of him [GOD] who fills all in all.</span><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Any questions?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">And here is the ultimate qualification for Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">For in him all the fullness
of God was pleased to dwell<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">In our extensive research over the years, what
does “all” mean?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">ALL!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">And “The fullness of God” – How full is that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">ALL OF IT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>ALL THE FULLNESS.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">What did we just read from Ephesians?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">“The FULLNESS OF HIM WHO FILLS ALL IN
ALL”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Now here is the mind-blower:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that sentence God is talking about US!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">BOOM!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Purple smoke!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">So, Who DO you say JESUS is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">That is the ultimate question in the universe!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">The answer that you give – that anyone gives – to
that question determines everything that follows it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVERY THING!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Because the first thing that happens after that
confession is the last thing in our reading from Colossians this morning:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">through him <u>to reconcile</u> to
himself <br />
<u>all things</u>, whether on earth or in heaven, <br />
<u>making peace by the blood </u>of his cross.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Friends,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus is KING not because of some “divine right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He isn’t
king simply because He is the Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
is King because He came, in obedience to God, the Father, and laid down His
divine life – and then laid down his earthly life … for you and for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that we can come home to Father, with him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">This is all captured in the scene at the cross of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of the mocking,
spitting, cursing, gambling… in the midst of all that was swirling around him;
in the midst of excruciating (the very word comes from ex-crucia “out of the
cross”) pain, Jesus spoke the words of forgiveness:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Father, forgive them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know know what they are doing!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one who heard it, simply believed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the ones hanging near him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rebuked the jeering and sneering as he prayed
the prayer of the ages:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">JESUS, REMEMBER ME, WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR
KINGDOM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Will you pray with the thief on the cross next to
Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the answer to the
ultimate question of the universe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who
do YOU say that I AM?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">JESUS, REMEMBER ME, WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR
KINGDOM.<br />
JESUS, REMEMBER ME, WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">SHALL WE PRAY?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">JESUS, REMEMBER ME, WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR
KINGDOM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">JESUS, REMEMBER ME, WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR
KINGDOM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">YOU BECAME SIN FOR ME, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">THAT I MIGHT BECOME GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS IN YOU!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">I BELIEVE YOU ROSE FROM THE DEAD,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">AND I RECEIVE YOU AS MY LORD AND MY KING.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">JESUS, REMEMBER ME, WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR
KINGDOM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">JESUS, REMEMBER ME, WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR
KINGDOM.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">AMEN.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-37811213979027321632022-09-04T09:08:00.000-06:002022-09-04T09:08:15.390-06:00Choose Life ...<p>13th Sunday of Pentecost <br />September 4, 2022<br />Fr. Phil Eberhart</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Choose
Life!<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We hear a lot these days about “choice” don’t
we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We, here in the west, put a high value
on our own ‘sovereignty.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personal
sovereignty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my life … it’s my
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Literally anything is justified
as being ok… even good … if it’s ‘My choice!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s talk about choosing this morning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our scriptures this morning are about
choosing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The very first words this
morning set out the choices!</span></b><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That
is the basis of every choice we have in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our big problem is knowing the difference, it seems!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in a culture that has started to fly
upside down… at night!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve lost our
orientation to the horizon and where we are in relation to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really easy to crash the plane that way!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So let’s talk about “orientation” for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Orientation is defined as a person or objects
relative position related to its surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Orientation can relate to the compass:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>North / South / East / West.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Orientation can relate to altitude, to latitude & longitude (its position
on the globe).<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course I’m talking about our physical space –
the direction we’re headed or the position we occupy in space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orientation has taken on a much wider meaning
than just spacial meanings today as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It has emotional meanings, even sexual meanings today.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Orientation begins to really matter to us at
the moment that we realize that we have lost our way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are flying upside down at night, and
you don’t know it, you are in danger of pulling “UP” and flying into the
ground!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So orientation is pretty
important!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like I said earlier, our culture today is “flying
upside down at night!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a culture
that, how does the Bible put it?<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Calls
evil good and good evil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Flying upside
down, at night!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So how do we re-orient our life?<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Choose you this day,” </i>God says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life and good … or … death and evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how do we know and see the choices … the
real choices… that are before us?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Life and death – good and evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light and dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ying and yang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John warns us in his gospel that we have a
leaning toward<i> <span style="color: red;">“loving the dark.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>But he also says that <i><span style="color: red;">the dark will never overcome the light!</span></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever done the experiment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open the closet door and see if the dark
falls out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because the light always rushes in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Never fails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darkness never wins!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So how do we switch on the light?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the source of the light in our
lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 119:105.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can someone tell me what it says.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a
light to my path”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So the source material for our orientation
should be the source of light in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The basis for orienteering is my relationship with the light (the sun)
and the direction of my movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
true in our spiritual life as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
basis for orienteering my life is my relationship with the LIGHT * THE SON –
and the direction of my movement (OBEDIENCE.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There it is … the “O” word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
very next words in our scripture reading from Deuteronomy were <i><span style="color: red;">“IF YOU OBEY.”</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Not our favorite “three little words.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something about the “O” word that causes us
to… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ya know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Obey, Obey, Obey!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We just get our back up!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why is following God’s rules so hard for us? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have a heart problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we’re “hard of hearing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the other end of the Bible, John again, at
the end of his life, sends these words from Jesus to the Church at Laodicea:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">17 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not
realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Flying upside down … at night!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What’s the answer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s look at our other scriptures this
morning:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 Blessed is the man who has <u>not</u>
walked in the counsel of the ungodly,* nor stood in the way of sinners, and has
not sat in the seat of the scornful;</span></i></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 But his delight is in the law of
the Lord,</span></i></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>* and on his law will he meditate
day and night.</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul tells Philemon he is <i><span style="color: red;">“confident of his obedience…”</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus tells us:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b><i><span style="background: #F1F1F1; color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Whoever
does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.</span>”</i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends, our orientation is determined by our
relationship to the SON and our direction in OBEDIENCE to His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We call it a Biblical Worldview.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David reminds us in verse 2 of Psalm 1: <i><span style="color: red;">“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,</span></i><span style="color: red;"> <i>* and on his law will he meditate day and night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Show me your hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold it up!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hear … Read … Mark … Learn … and Inwardly
Digest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">C.H. Spurgeon comments that these disciplines are
like cutting the wheat, grinding the wheat into flour, kneading it into dough and
baking the bread but that meditation is sitting down and eating the meal!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is clear throughout the Scriptures that the
one who obeys the Word is “blessed in His/Her doing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James lays it out pretty clearly for us:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves. <sup>23 </sup>For if anyone is a hearer of the word and
not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a
mirror. <sup>24 </sup>For he looks at himself and goes away and at
once forgets what he was like. <sup>25 </sup>But the one who looks
into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer
who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Obedience is the basis of blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Deuteronomy, actually from Genesis, to Revelation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From beginning to end the basis of our
getting oriented rightly in our life has been a relationship of obedience to
God, through His Word.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">John gave the invitation to the Laodiceans from
Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and
repent. <sup>20 </sup>Behold, I stand at the door
and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will
come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s pray together:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">O most
loving Father, by your mercy you put away the sins of those who truly repent,
and remember their sins no more. Restore and renew in us, your servants,
whatever has been corrupted by the fraud and malice of the devil, or by our own
selfish will and weakness. Preserve and protect us within the fellowship of the
Church; hear our prayers and relieve our pain; through Jesus Christ our Lord. <b><i>Amen.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Show favor
to your people, O Lord, who turn to you in weeping, fasting, and prayer. For
you are a merciful God, full of compassion, long-suffering, and abounding in
steadfast love. You spare when we deserve punishment, and in your wrath you
remember mercy. Spare your people, good Lord, spare us; in the multitude of
your mercies, look upon us and forgive us; through the merits and mediation of
your blessed Son Jesus Christ our Lord. <b><i>Amen.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And
join me in our opening collect from your bulletin:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">O Lord
God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the
flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only
God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-34288681251303435862022-07-24T08:17:00.000-06:002022-07-24T08:17:32.240-06:00Intercessory Prayer - Exercise in Persistence<p> <b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7<sup>th</sup>
Sunday after Pentecost</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
July 24, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil
Eberhart<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Intercessory
Prayer – Exercise in Persistence<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is there
anyone else here that suffers from guilt over not praying enough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a pile of should’s and oughts that
get added onto our spiritual lives, and this is one of the most common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that we should pray – that we ought
to pray about things – first or at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But we just get so busy going, going going and doing, doing, doing, that
we just forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We forget God!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And that
is a pickle when we get there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was
talking to a friend the other day about a program that is on going in our
diocese, and he admitted that he was frustrated with banging his head against a
stone wall – lots of energy, lots of effort, lots of time and talent and
treasure expended --- no results!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then it
dawned on him he should pray about the program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whoa!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All of a
sudden, when he turned the program over to God, stuff started working!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help came out of the woodwork! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This week
I was personally convicted by Stacey and Jerry as they talked about their “secret
place” time with God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PRAY ~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LISTEN<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OBEY<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
morning our scriptures point us in a very specific direction!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see the story of the Intercession of
Abraham for Sodom & Gomorrah. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We hear
Jesus teach the disciples how to pray as He does.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And Paul
gives us the context for such a life of prayer – a life of alignment with God’s
purpose and lived in His power.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Get you
pencil or pen out because I will give you some ways to mark up your bulletin
this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going to be reading
with a highlighter, underlining and circling some words and thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let me
preface this by saying that as we enter into prayer we are entering into Jesus’
present ministry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture tells us
that Jesus “ever lives to make intercession for us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
readily admit that God has a plan for our lives and that it is good, but we
rarely get still enough, especially in our culture of distraction here in the
West – in the US of A – to actually hear what God is saying.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A few
weeks ago we read the calling of Samuel as a young boy, as a pre-prophet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says in those days “the Word of the Lord
was rare!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So Samuel
had to learn as a young man to recognize the voice of the Lord God when God was
speaking to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several times he
mistook the voice in the night for Eli’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally Eli got it, and told Samuel to respond to the voice:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Speak Lord for your servant is listening.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Speak
Lord, for your servant is listening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not a bad place to start, eh?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In our OT
lesson Abraham was doing the speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over and over and over, with God apparently nodding His head and
agreeing along the way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get a pretty
good picture of what Jesus talks about in the Gospel reading when He says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[Luk 11:8
ESV] <i><span style="color: red;">I tell you, though he will not get up and give
him anything because he is his friend, yet because of <u>his impudence</u> he
will rise and give him whatever he needs.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Interestingly,
God isn’t put off by Abraham as He pleads for the righteous in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And each request is readily granted to
Abraham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always been struck by this
passage and the persistence – the impudence – of Abraham in approaching God in
this way; but God seems perfectly OK with it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When
Jesus took up the request of His disciples to “teach us to pray” He gives them
some pointers – a model prayer – and then immediately launches into a story of
someone who goes across the street to get bread at midnight from a neighbor who
is in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The picture is one of a rare kind
of persistence – the word that is used here in the Greek only occurs in this
verse in the whole Bible!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be
translated “without shame” or “shameless.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is shameless impudence that is being highlighted by Jesus! What does
that mean?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our
stance and approach toward God is not to be one of meekness, of embarrassment,
of asking timidly or weakly for His mercy and grace, for His direction and
empowerment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to “Come boldly
before the throne of grace.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[Heb
4:14-16 ESV<i>]<span style="color: red;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then we have a great high priest who has
passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us <u>hold fast</u> our
confession. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For we do not have a high
priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every
respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us then <u>with confidence draw near to
the throne of grace</u>, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in
time of need.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
position of intercession is one which we are to take up with boldness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham stood in God’s way as He was about to
destroy the cities – he was the in-between one – the “intercessor” who was
standing “in the gap” between God and Man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Prayer is often not a comfortable place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It requires us to know our station, and yet to approach God with
boldness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And what
is our station here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turn in your bulletin to the reading from Colossians – or to your Bible if you have one with
you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Get your
pen out and I want you to circle or underline the instances of the words IN HIM
or WITH HIM in these few verses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take
just a minute to do that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="chapter-2"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="chapter-2"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="chapter-2"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="chapter-2"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Second Reading:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Colossians 2:6-15</span></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></sup></i></b></p>
<p class="chapter-2"><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">6 </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus
the Lord, so <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">walk in him</span>, <sup>7 </sup><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">rooted and built up in him</span>
and established in the faith, just as you were taught,
abounding in thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="chapter-2"><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">8 </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt;">See to it that no one takes you captive
by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition,
according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to
Christ. <sup>9 </sup>For <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">in him</span> the whole fullness of deity
dwells bodily, <sup>10 </sup>and <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">you have been filled in him</span>, who
is the head of all rule and authority. <sup>11 </sup><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">In him</span> also you were
circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the
body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, <sup>12 </sup>having
been <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">buried</span> <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">with him</span> in baptism, in
which you were also <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">raised
with him</span> through faith in the powerful working of God, who
raised him from the dead. <sup>13 </sup>And you, who were dead in
your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">made alive together with him</span>,
having forgiven us all our trespasses, <sup>14 </sup>by canceling the
record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside,
nailing it to the cross. <sup>15 </sup>He disarmed the rulers and
authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">in him</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9 times
in 9 verses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same is true of several
other passages by the way, as Paul is clear that all that we are and do in the
Kingdom and for the King is done “IN HIM”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“WITH HIM.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a look at Ephesians 1 some time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are
all familiar with John 15:5 right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Apart
from me, you can do nothing!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
secret sauce here is abiding IN HIM and moving WITH HIM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham was not twisting God’s arm!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham was interceding in ALIGNMENT with the
will of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took the place of intercession
because God gave him a heart of compassion;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m certain that his love for his nephew, Lot and his family played a
part in that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God allowed Abraham to
enter into this place and granted each request without an argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham was praying – he was interceding,
according to the will of the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So how do
we enter into that place?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you
remember that I’ve said many times, “when you see a need, you’re in the game!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stepping off the bench and onto the field,
means you are stepping into Abraham’s place of intercession!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You are
stepping into the place of Jesus, right along side Him in His intercessions!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He welcomes you there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the first thing you need to do is find
our from Him what He is praying for!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What direction does God want to go here? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When God
highlights someone to you; you see someone in need and feel that twinge from
the Spirit of God, pray right then!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
what do you want me to do or say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
can I be Your Presence in this situation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How can I be a blessing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That is
what it means to ABIDE IN HIM!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every moment,
every circumstance, every person we meet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are “on mission” with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are
the presence, the fragrance of Jesus, to those around us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I want us
to finish here this morning by re-reading the last part of the Gospel from Luke
11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you turn to it and read with
me?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s
begin at verse 9 and read to the end:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><b><i><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9 </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And I tell you, ask, and it will be
given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened
to you. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>For everyone who asks receives, and the
one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>What
father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give
him a serpent; <b><sup>12 </sup></b>or if he asks for an egg, will
give him a scorpion? <b><sup>13 </sup></b>If you then, who are
evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God is inviting
us into His mission in the world and He is promising us that He will be with
us,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IN US, as we go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve heard it over and over and over again:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Willingness … Availability … and
Obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stacey told us that God is looking
for those who are Faithful… Available… and Teachable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that obedience is the deal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What God is asking us to do, we can’t do alone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t do anything apart from Him and we
are called to do what we do TOGETHER WITH HIM because we are IN HIM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let me say
it again in the words of Paul:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9 </span></sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">in
him</span> the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, <sup>10 </sup>and <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">you have been filled in him</span>,
who is the head of all rule and authority.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus said, ALL AUTHORITY has been given to me in the whole world,
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Therefore GO!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Father in Heaven,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hallow
Your Name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make your Name Holy and
wholly renowned through us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, we
want to make You famous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let your
Kingdom come – reign among us here on this earth, just like you do in
heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let Your will be done in our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We give them over to You fully
this day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Save us, Lord God, from the time of trial and the day of
temptation. Put the world, our flesh and the Devil under our feet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Give us what we need to live for you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our daily provision, like the Manna you
provided day by day in the wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Apart from You, Lord, we can do nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be our sufficiency, our competence, and the
one who brings fruit, more fruit and much fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let your glory be ours, as Jesus prayed, as we are One In Him and
One with each other, that the whole world may know.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For the sake of the Kingdom of God and the Fame of Jesus Name, we
pray.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-58623985799438016852022-07-03T08:18:00.005-06:002022-07-04T07:54:23.759-06:00Our Independence - One Nation, Under God<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Independence Weekend<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">July 3, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Fr. Philip Eberhart<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/209249365776950" target="_blank">click here to watch video</a></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday afternoon I listened to a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uE-tqe0xsQ" target="_blank">reading of theDeclaration of Independence</a>, and I commend it to you. It takes about 10 minutes of your day and
tomorrow would be a marvelous time for us to reflect again on the words that
are therein! Let me prime the pump a
bit:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">This is just the first section of the document, down to the
listing of the “usurpations:”</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 19.95pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #1c3360; font-family: "Libre Franklin";">IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(28,51,96,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background: white; border: currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 19.95pt; margin: 1.5rem;"><b><i><span style="color: #1c3360; font-family: "Libre Franklin";">The
unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(28,51,96,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background: white; border: currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 19.95pt; margin: 1.5rem;"><b><i><span style="color: #1c3360; font-family: "Libre Franklin";">When
in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve
the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among
the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of
Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of
mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the
separation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(28,51,96,0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background: white; border: currentcolor; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 19.95pt; margin: 1.5rem;"><b><i><span style="color: #1c3360; font-family: "Libre Franklin";">We
hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish
it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles
and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to
effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that
Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient
causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more
disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 19.95pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #1c3360; font-family: "Libre Franklin";">But when a long train of abuses and
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce
them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw
off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such
has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the
necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The
history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries
and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute
Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid
world.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">And here
begins the list of the overreach of the tyranny of King George in England
through which the colonists had come in their founding years. Actions which later informed our own Bill of
Rights and Constitution, just as the Liberty and Justice did which the original
pilgrims sought as they fled the religious persecutions of the Old World and
came to the New.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">How long
has it been since you spent any time at all refreshing or even making a memory
of these events; of the times in which our Founding Father’s lived, just 246
years ago; of the fates of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence;
who put their names to the document swearing: </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">“</span></b><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #1c3360; font-family: "Libre Franklin"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">And for the support of this Declaration, with a
firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to
each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.</span>”<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I want to
commend to you a Paul Harvey monologue on YouTube on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XyyHQ_ritw" target="_blank">The Founding Fathers</a>. Again about 10 minutes out of your life, but
well worth the listen, as Paul Harvey draws our attention to the price of
freedom for these 56 men and their families who pledged their Lives, Fortunes
and Sacred Honor. It is a sobering
reminder that freedom is never free!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I want also
this morning to commend to you an extraordinary resource that I picked up when
we had a breakfast here at REZ this past spring, with the Truth and Liberty
Coalition, and historian David Barton.
David is the historian who oversaw this <a href="https://shop.wallbuilders.com/product/the-founders-bible/">Founder’s
Bible</a> and its contribution to the literature of our providential history in
these United States. I also commend the
website he curates: <a href="https://wallbuilders.com/">https://wallbuilders.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Over and
over in public arenas we say a Pledge ourselves: we call it the Pledge of Allegiance: <i>“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands: One Nation,
Under God, Indivisible, With liberty and Justice for all.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">ONE
NATION:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">In our
prayer book there is a prayer for the Nation, which we will pray in a few
moments this morning. I try to use it in
our morning prayers at least once each week.
There is a line in it that says: “<i>Defend our liberties, and fashion
into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and
tongues.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Our
national motto, in fact, <i>E PLURIBUS UNUM</i> – <i>Out of Many, One! </i>Speaks to
the unity which undergirds our nation – a unity which we only find fully in the
common life, the KOINONIA, of the Body of Christ, rightly understood and
rightly lived out in society. That is
why the next phrase is so important to this nation:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">UNDER
GOD!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> Added to the Pledge by Dwight Eisenhower in 1954, the year of my birth, it was the result of a sermon one Sunday! Here are just a few lines of that sermon by Rev. Docherty: </span><i>[Feb 7, 1954; New York Ave Pres Chur]</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>"Early American history was caught up with a sense of destiny that was broader and deeper than simply personal ambitions and the desire to be a success. The Puritans triumphed because they made success the by-product rather and the end of their lives. Lincoln in his day, say this clearly. Under God the nation would know a new birth of freedom. And by implication it could only be Under God that "government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth."</i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">It is
only as we live our lives UNDER GOD that we come into the freedom, the liberty,
the justice for all, that we speak of.
There is no other place where it is available! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">I have
said over and over that we have a choice to live our lives in two ways: With a pen-knife or with a highlighter! Our approach to our history – whether we read
it in The Bible or in The Declaration of Independence and Constitution or Bill
of Rights are subject to these mindsets of ours: If we read with a pen-knife, poised to remove
the sections that are uncomfortable or that we deem out-dated, we place ourselves
“over” the Bible or the historical document that we are reading. We are after all, as one Episcopal Church
bishop was heard to say, “the Authors of the Bible; we can change the Bible!” Today we have many who take this approach to
history, to scripture, and to truth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">But what
if we read it with a Highlighter?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">What if
we Hear, Read, Mark, Learn and Inwardly Digest the words of these documents, as
if they matter… greatly… for our life and for our salvation! What if we live in such a way that the Bible
and dare I say, our foundational documents of Freedom, are “OVER” us, not US
OVER THEM! What if we allow them to
speak into our lives, and motives, and our very being where we live? What if what they said really mattered?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">INDIVISIBLE<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">What does
that word even mean? How about UN _ DIVIDE-ABLE?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">How do we
even begin to live into that word, that concept, in today’s culture of division? I noted in my mind, as I read the Declaration
that the word united in the first sentence is not yet capitalized. “United” was an adjectival descriptor, not a Proper
Name! Today it is a proper name: The
United States of America. But friends we
are in the gravest danger we have been in since the Civil War, I believe. The forces of division are afoot – in word and
in deed, and we must be vigilant to both act and speak as ONE NATION - UNDER
GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Unity
does not, indeed it cannot come from inside of us, it comes from a place where
every knee has bowed and every tongue confessed – where we have ‘surrendered’ –
yielded our selfish autonomy and prideful ways to the Lordship of the ONE WHOSE
NAME IS ABOVE EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED IN HEAVEN OR ON THE EARTH! The KING of KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS,
JESUS.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Apart
from HIM, we can do … No thing!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">WITH LIBERTY
& JUSTICE FOR ALL!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">He
hath shown thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God” Micah 6:8<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">One of
our other Prayerbook prayers says it this way:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">“…especially
we pray for thy holy Church universal, that it may be so guided and governed by
thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led
into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of
peace, and in righteousness of life” </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">[#40, For all sorts and conditions of men,
BCP 2019, p. 658]<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Dear
friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">On this
eve of our celebration of Independence Day, I want to commend you to the
resources I’ve mentioned. You can access
them on my REZPADRE Blogspot, and they are live links in the sermon there. Just click to watch or to go to the resources.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us
spend just a few minutes tonight or tomorrow considering the cost of our
freedom and our independence and let us, as we watch the fireworks or eat the
bounty of our land, let us give thanks to God, first of all, for our freedoms
and liberties; Let us give God thanks
for the sacrifices made by our Founding Fathers, by our military and those who
today protect our freedoms around the world!
Take this bulletin home and sing the songs again, paying attention to
the words.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Paying Attention! I think we can all benefit from Paying
Attention!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">God’s
hand is evident in the calling, in the formation, in the history, the letters
and documents of our nation. My prayer
in these final days is that the Lord not pass us by because we have so often
passed Him by! </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord have mercy upon
us! </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Christ have mercy upon us! </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord have mercy upon us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us
stand to confirm and affirm our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed and in
our prayers this morning. Please stand
with me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Rage Italic"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Father Philip D Eberhart</span><span style="font-family: Rage Italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p><b><i>July 3, 2022</i></b> </p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-65705744772383931412022-05-28T08:47:00.000-06:002022-05-28T08:47:41.043-06:00Easter 5 - New Every Morning <p> <b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5<sup>th</sup>
Sunday of Easter<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May 15, 2022<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">NEW
EVERY MORNING<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
sermon may be more appropriate for Lent -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>or at least it has its roots in our Lenten disciplines of coming to God
through Jesus in repentance and prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was
blessed to be given a seat at the table with some friends this past Wednesday
at the Colorado Prayer Luncheon and an old friend was the speaker, Pastor
Robert Gelinas from Colorado Community Church, Aurora.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert and I were youth pastors at the same
time, he at 1<sup>st</sup> Pres in Golden and I at Christ Episcopal Church,
Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today the work he does is large
and it richly blesses the city and the area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He spoke,
of course, on prayer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a novel idea
for a prayer luncheon!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned our
attention to a simple prayer, that we know well, from our Morning Prayer and
our Eucharistic Offices that says simply:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"Lord,
have mercy!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christ,
have mercy!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord,
have mercy!"<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You’ve
heard of the 8-word prayer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“O God! O
God! O God! O God!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is
the 9-word prayer!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He talked
about driving and praying on Colfax from east to west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something I’ve had the occasion to do as
well, with groups and individually a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He urged everyone there, and the Colorado Convention Center was full to
the brim, to pray that 9-word prayer over the streets of our city “as we go.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord,
have mercy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ, have mercy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord, have mercy!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
morning I want to explore a bit, the mercy of God. Some of our favorite
scriptures and favorite songs are about this subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of mine is actually both – a couple of
mine in fact!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a surprise, I know!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“ He
hath shown thee, O Man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of
thee:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God!”</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The
steadfast love of The Lord never ceases;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning, new every
morning, Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Great is Thy faithfulness!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If I
could just leave you with those two songs rolling around in your brain this
week, my job would be done here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
wait there’s more!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The words
“mercy, mercies, or merciful” show up over 200 times in the Bible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a brief survey:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The place
where God’s presence rests in the Tabernacle is called…<br />
The MERCY Seat – it is the top of the Ark of the Covenant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the place where Jesus, after the
resurrection, brought the offering of His own blood to pour out for the sin of
the world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once for all, in obedience to
the Father:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on The Mercy Seat.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Lord
God begins to reveal this to Moses on the mountain, as He passes by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2034%3A6&version=ESV"><span style="color: #952004; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Exodus 34:6</span></a></span><span style="color: #952004; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 15.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> passed
before him and proclaimed, “The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,
the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, a God <b>merciful</b> and
gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And this
self description by God is then repeated over and over and over again
throughout the Old Testament:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nehemiah,
chapter 9;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalms 86, 103, and 145; Joel
2; and Jonah 4.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The hymn
of Jeremiah in Lamentations 3, that we sang a moment ago:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="color: #833c0b; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Lamentations 3:21-23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.4pt;"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">21 </span></sup></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
this I call to mind,<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and therefore I have hope:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 20.4pt;"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">22 </span></sup></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
steadfast love of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> never
ceases;</span><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[</span></sup><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lamentations%203%3A21%2D23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-20377a" title="See footnote a"><sup><span style="color: #4a4a4a; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a</span></sup></a><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">]</span></sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">his mercies never come to an end;<br />
<b><sup>23 </sup></b>they are new every morning;<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">great is your faithfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
mercies of God are the motivation for our self-presentation as living sacrifices
in Romans 12:1;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our awareness of God’s
mercies to us, both individually and corporately, form the basis of our
becoming “living sacrifices” – worshipping God genuinely and whole heartedly,
which Paul then calls our “reasonable service of worship.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JB
Phillips translates those verses this way…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">12 </span></b></span><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">1-2 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">With
eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of
intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice,
consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you
squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so
that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all
his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.</span><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mercy is
the stuff of the prayer that Jesus pointed his disciples to as a model of
repentance from the publican (the tax collector) vs. the prayer of the
“righteous” Pharisee:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We call it “The
Jesus Prayer.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And as I
pointed out in my first song, it is what I call God’s TRIFECTA:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Micah
6:8<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><span style="color: #7030a0;">“He
has shown you, O Man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to do justly, and to love mercy and to
walk humbly with your God”</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Justice /
Mercy / Humility<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Does what
we do today have these three marks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because these marks are the marks of the People of God – they form the
stuff of the fragrance – the incense of His presence – in the world!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
tells us that we are to spread the fragrance of His Victory, and this is what
it smells like!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would people in the
world respond to that fragrance, when they are used to harsh judgement and
condemnation from Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a
God <b>merciful</b> and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in
steadfast love and faithfulness,</span><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How can
we show people this God?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
said it, in our Gospel reading this morning:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj"><b><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: red; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">34 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="background: white; color: red; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.</span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: red; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span class="woj"><b><sup>35 </sup></b>By this <u>all people will know</u> that
you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”</span><span class="text"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
mercies of God are the outworking of His nature, which is Holy Love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holiness absolute to the degree that He had
to cover Moses eyes because he would not have been able to survive seeing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love great enough that He had to show
Himself, and eventually came to speak to Moses, face to face, as a friend of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Mercy
of God is captured in the Blessing of Aaron that we say or sing every
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord … “MAKE HIS FACE SHINE
UPON YOU, BE GRACIOUS TO YOU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THE LORD
LIFT HIS FACE TOWARD YOU, AND GIVE YOU PEACE.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
ever lifted a son or daughter above your head?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes you throw them into the air and catch them over your
head!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about what the Lord is
saying here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord LIFT HIS FACE
TOWARD YOU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are you in that
picture?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If God’s face is lifted toward
you, He is below you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has picked you
up and is tossing you into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is the most joyful and intimate moment that a parent can have with their child!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is
the picture I want to leave you with this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loves you radically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mercy is His DNA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cannot do otherwise!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you
have a God-image that is something else – anything else – then you need to
study this message over and over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get God’s Mercy into YOUR DNA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marinate in God’s MERCY –<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding
in steadfast love and faithfulness,</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pray with
me:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord,
Have Mercy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<i>Christ, have mercy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord, have
mercy!<br />
<br />
Look mercifully, O Father, on our infirmities; and, for the glory of your Name,
rescue us from all those evils we now endure; and grant that in all our
troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in your mercy, serving you
in holiness and purity of life, to your honor and glory; through our only
Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sung:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Holy God,
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Holy and
Mighty, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Holy
Immortal One, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have
mercy upon us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-53994793583248865712022-04-24T07:54:00.000-06:002022-04-24T07:54:14.606-06:00Easter 2 - WHO MOVED THE STONE?<p> <b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">EASTER 2<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">April 24, 2022<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Who Moved the
Stone?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Can you imagine
being in the Disciples’ shoes that first day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our readings are filled with activity for them and for us!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First thing in
the morning, the women go to the tomb and find it empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They run back but Mary lingers and “runs into”
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mistaking Him for the gardener
she begs him to reveal where they have taken Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Resurrection was certainly not on their
radar?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The women carry
the news back to the disciples and are laughed out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Peter and John run to the tomb (no doubt
or confusion as to where it is) to see the grave clothes empty and the head piece
folded neatly and set apart from the shroud Jesus was wrapped in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Meanwhile two
disciples (not part of the Eleven who are locked in the Upper Room), encounter
a stranger on the road to Emmaus who tells them all about the things that have
been going on and explains it all from the Torah and the Prophetic Writings!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when they sit down to eat, he breaks the
bread and they realize it was Jesus all along!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And He disappears as they are eating with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heart Burn!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They run the seven or so miles back to the Upper Room and burst in with
the news … AGAIN … that Jesus is alive! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just then… our
reading this morning!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus shows up in
the locked room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“PEACE BE WITH YOU”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine
they were scared out of their wits!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
have no frame of reference for this, even though he told them several times
that this was going to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Val told me about a comic strip of the
conversation between Pilate and Joseph of Arimathea about the Body of Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pilate: So let me
get this straight, You, one of the richest men in Jerusalem, with a brand new
tomb, want the body of this Jesus character, and you’re going to give him your
new tomb!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t get it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joseph:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, don’t worry about it … it’s only for the
weekend!]<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now the disciples
are totally undone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here stands Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine Peter’s reaction?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From silence in the corner, very
uncharacteristic for Peter, to (how does he later describe it?) as “Joy
unspeakable or inexpressible and full of glory.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>1 Pet 1:8</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you read that full verse in context it says
almost the same thing as Jesus tells Thomas here, word for word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><span style="background: white; color: red;">Though
you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe
in him and rejoice with </span>joy<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> that is inexpressible and filled with glory,</span>”</i></span><i><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do you think that all came from?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<div style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 2.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
came from this scene in the Upper Room on the first night of the Resurrection
appearances of Jesus! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Resurrection
changes everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not just a cool
story that is the fairy tale ending of a horrible predicament!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tale of terrible suffering that ends in
triumph!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not JUST A TALE – it’s
not a fable or what do the liberals call it – oh yes :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A MYTH!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is no MYTH!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No nursery rhyme with a neat ending.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is A Creation-Altering
FACT.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A week ago last night
Jacob did a masterful job of laying out the arguments over the ages for a dead
Jesus. But they all FAIL because of THE FACTS.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Never mind the
Eye Witness testimony of people who saw Him die, dead and buried, then alive,
speaking, walking, eating, teaching.<br />
Eye witnesses,(the pinnacle of courtroom testimony) many of whom were still
alive at the writing of the Gospel accounts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
And very able to immediately speak up and say, “NOT SO FAST THERE!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Never mind the Disciples
themselves who were one minute cowering in the upper room corner for fear that they
were going to be next on the Jewish leaders’ list!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the next minute, they’re standing in the
open Temple Square proclaiming a Risen Jesus, whom they must Proclaim and Obey
over the temple authorities and Romans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On pain of imprisonment and beating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do you explain that? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And what about
the soldiers? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Roman’s don’t sleep on duty – they die if they
do!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Disciples who are fearing for their lives don’t
move rocks and steal bodies – not these anyway!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So … WHO MOVED THE STONE?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just Google that question!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dare you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And finally, what
about the Body itself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Jesus has been
found in any tomb… EVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">WHY?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ALLELUIA !! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ALLELUIA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>THE LORD IS RISEN.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">THE LORD IS RISEN
INDEED.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ALLELUIA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ALLELUIA!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Lord is Risen
… Indeed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Truth and in the flesh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was raised Bodily from the dead!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cooked and ate fish and bread, and they
were able to touch His wounds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For 40 days in
all kinds of places and with all numbers of people Jesus appeared alive and
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we say that this was the Disciples’
A HA MOMENT?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’d love to say
FINALLY, they got it!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But not
really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the morning of His Ascension,
they were still questioning him about his plans to overthrow Rome and set up
His own Kingdom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They never REALLY got it
until they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit Himself on Pentecost!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The period from
the Ascension to Pentecost – what we call the “Ten Days Together in the Upper Room”
followed by the Day of Pentecost had to be the most soul searching, prayerful,
desperate days of anticipation and questioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seek …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knock!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will give you the gift
of the Holy Spirit;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the gift My Father
promised; the Well springing up within you!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Can you imagine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">40 days with
Jesus … alive in your midst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking,
teaching, one-on-one time, Thomas’s “come-to-Jesus meeting”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“MY LORD AND MY GOD!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blessed are those
who have not seen yet they believe!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s us
friends.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The proofs, the
reasonableness of the FACTS of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
are in my mind irrefutable to the rational mind and to faith (even faith as
small as a mustard seed, like Jesus said.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul tells us
that this belief:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Jesus was risen
from the dead is at the <u>absolute center</u> of our salvation and that our
confession of this belief with our mouth is equally central to our salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">THE LORD IS
RISEN!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THE LORD IS RISEN
INDEED!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did anyone here
have to cross your fingers when you said that second part?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If so… Google “<a href="https://www.gospeltruth.net/whomovedthestone.htm">whomovedthestone?</a>”
and read about it in detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Book has
been around since 1930!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">AND SO…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you can
answer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LORD IS RISEN INDEED and you
believe it in your heart, you are “saved.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone who “calls on the Name of the Lord, will be saved.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But if you’ve
never heard this before – or you’ve heard it but like Thomas and most of the
other disciples, there is still doubt… still questions in the back of your
mind. IT’S OK!! Jesus did not throw Thomas away here! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter could not walk on the water all the way,
and later denied Jesus (while they were face to face in the courtyard of the
High Priest’s house!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please, please,
let someone know;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me or another
Christian friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call or text me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t just ignore your questions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>READ UP!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>FIND OUT, for <u>your</u> sake!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is heaven or
hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Answer the question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHO MOVED THE STONE?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">WHAT DO YOU
BELIEVE ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD AND IT’S MEANING
FOR YOU AND FOR LIVING YOUR LIFE FROM NOW ON?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s pray:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Heavenly Father,
you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death, and brought us into
the kingdom of your beloved Son: Grant that, as by his death he has called us
to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.</span></i></b><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-26262471402184495282022-04-11T11:32:00.000-06:002022-04-11T11:32:01.363-06:00Palm Sunday - Going the Distance (from Hosanna to "Crucify Him")<p> <b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Palm
Sunday<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April 10, 2022<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Going the
Distance<br />
<br />
<br />
Welcome to Palm Sunday and Holy Week this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lot’s going on in the service this morning, so this will be a bit
shorter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I want to
consider for a few moments the distance from Palm Sunday to Good Friday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already in today’s service we’ve experienced
that shift from Hosanna, Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Crucify Him!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Crucify Him!!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s a
pretty stark contrast in one morning … or one week!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I guess
it speaks of the nature of our flesh and of the nature of our devotion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was at a
retreat during my college days at ORU and we were in the Ozark mountains over
by Eureka Springs, ARK at a retreat center that was perched on a mountain top
at the head of this long valley that stretched off to the north of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That morning at 6 am I took some coffee and
went out on the back porch only to find the whole valley view shrouded in
fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat down with my coffee and bible
and opened to Hosea, the prophet of Israel who acted out his prophecy – by marrying
a prostitute.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I read
the story I came to chapter six where we see the contrast of God’s Hesed Love –
Unfailing Love and their wavering, uncertain love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chapter six starts out well – with God’s
people saying – “<i>Come and let us return to the Lord, for He has torn us, but
He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. … So let us know
and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand
fully the greatness of the Lord; to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him.<br />
<br />
</i>And God replys to them…<br />
<br />
<i>O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
O Judah, what shall I do with you?<br />
For your wavering loyalty and kindness are transient, <br />
like the morning cloud<br />
and like the dew that goes away early.<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At that
moment, as I stood on the veranda overlooking this valley the cloud, chased by
the rising heat of the sun that early morning, was being chased out of the
valley!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the sun coming through the
surrounding trees highlighted the fog exiting the valley overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Your
love is like the morning cloud and like the dew that goes early away!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My
friends, this Palm Sunday morning I just want to highlight the short distance
from Hosanna to Crucify Him!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The truth
– a hard and inconvenient truth – is that we are extremely fickle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like dew on the grass in the morning
that disappears in the heat of the morning – and not very long into the
morning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clouds that melt away with
the heat of the day are a perfect picture of our kind of love for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His is steadfast, unfailing HESED and ours …
well…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So this
week, I once again renew the invitation we heard five weeks ago, at the head of
Lent on Ash Wednesday and the first Sunday morning:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I invite
you to a holy lent … a holy, HOLY WEEK!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through
fasting and prayer, through reading and meditation on the verses we’ve read and
heard this morning from the Passion Gospels;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I invite you to immerse yourself – allow yourself to marinate in the
week between Palm Sunday and the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and
Good Friday, His trial, betrayals, the abandonment of his friends and followers
(while he was the leading “messianic” hopeful!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, “so much for that idea”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Read the
stories again and place yourself along the Via Dolorosa – where are you in the
crowd?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way there is no good place
to be – no place where you can maintain your innocence in the face of this
atrocity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closest you can come is Jesus
own mother, or the women who wept or the Cyrenian who was forced by the Romans
to carry His cross for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are
the best seats in the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else
in the picture is innocent here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
cast list is long! The disciples who ran, Peter who followed yet denied him
almost to his face, the soldiers, the Pharisees, Pilate, washing his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The palm
branches are changed into crosses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Really, need we say more.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Join us
this week as you can.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thursday
night at the Last Supper.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday
Noon or night at the Stations of the Cross – the walk on the Via Dolorosa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Saturday
night in The Great Vigil – that traces the whole journey of God’s HISTORY with
mankind – the entrance of the LIGHT into the darkness – the chant of the
EXULTET – the stories of God’s creation and Abraham – the Jews in Egypt and the
Passover – One of the most ancient services in the whole Church.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Come and See.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Go the
Distance:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from Hosanna to Crucify Him –
from My God, My God and It is Finished to He is Risen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us
pray.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Almighty
and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins
of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that
we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain
of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-69967847335921488682022-03-27T07:42:00.000-06:002022-03-27T07:42:05.328-06:00Getting Over a God who Hates Me - Fr. Phil<p> <b>Lent 4</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>
March 27, 2022<br />
Fr. Phil Eberhart<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><o:p> </o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">GETTING
OVER A GOD WHO HATES ME<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
ever wondered if God loves you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It seems
like we all have those moments, when we’re “under the circumstances”, and we
get low and we hear that little voice that says, “God really hates you!” All the negative things that people have said
about us or over us in our past come roaring to the front of our minds!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
ever had that experience?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think
its actually pretty common – given the way our world works. Or doesn’t work … really.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We really
want to encounter God’s love for us in some way that we can grasp onto – that we
can hold close – something that’s not “somewhere, out there…” – the Bette
Midler god. God is watching us! I want a God who is doing more than just
watching from a distance! Right? I want a God who is involved with my life –
who is paying attention to little details in my “good, bad and ugly!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our gospel
this morning paints a picture of a father and two sons. Very familiar story – we’ve studied it before
in some depth – songs have been written about it: “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPen1jQrlhU" target="_blank">When God Ran!</a>” great song.
Sometimes I call it the Parable of the Loving Father, instead of The
Prodigal Son (or Sons!)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Love
of our God for us is on display here, no matter how low we go – nor how dutiful
and obedient we are! The two sons in the
story are the opposite poles of our lives!
So often we get off track, lose our way, lose sight of what God wants for
our lives – we love to “do our own thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Or we
concentrate on doing it all “right” – on being obedient, dutiful, the Good Son
or Daughter – in order to “win” God’s affection in some way.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The picture
we have of these two boys pales though, when we look at the picture of The
Father – The Heart of the Father that we see here!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I imagine
the Father standing daily at the window looking down the lane from the house,
hoping against hope to see the figure of his lost son. And one day, finally, after years away, that
son comes back – a tiny figure in the distance, but Father sees him and recognizes
the walk, the height of this boy, something that sparks that memory of his son…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And he
runs out of the house, tossing his cloak aside to gain speed – running down the
lane to gather up this broken, filthy, how does the letter of Revelation put
it: “…wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and
naked.” Yet, here God runs to meet us –
to gather us in His arms – to restore us to the family with the new clothes and
the ring for his finger! In Revelation,
Jesus says He is standing at the door knocking – we are in this state of wretchedness,
pitiable, poor, blind and naked – and He wants to eat with us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you
get it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Look with
me for a moment at the passage from 2 Cor 5.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">18 </span></sup></i><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; </span></i></b><i><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">19 </span></sup></i><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">that is, in Christ God
was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses
against them,</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Reconciling
US - Reconciling THE WORLD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You know
the verse: For God so … LOVED … the world<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What does
it take for us to grasp the meaning of that phrase?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul asks
that in the passage we read yesterday at Duane’s memorial service:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">31 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">What then shall we say to these things? If God is for
us, who can be</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-28132i" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28132i" title="See footnote i">i</a>]"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro+8&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28132i" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote i"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">i</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> against us?</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-28133"><span style="font-size: x-small;">32</span><span style="font-size: 1.2rem;"> </span></span></sup>He who did not spare his own Son but gave
him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?</span></span> </i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul goes
on:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The real
fact is this:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">34 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than
that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is
interceding for us.</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-28135j" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28135j" title="See footnote j">j</a>]"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro+8&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28135j" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote j"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">j</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-28136"><span style="font-size: x-small;">35</span><span style="font-size: 1.2rem;"> </span></span></sup>Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or danger, or sword?</span></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="background: white;">37 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white;">No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.</span></i></b></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="background: white;"> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-28139"><span style="font-size: x-small;">38</span><span style="font-size: 1.2rem;"> </span></span></sup>For I am sure that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,</span></span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-28140"><span style="font-size: x-small;">39</span><span style="font-size: 1.2rem;"> </span></span></sup>nor height nor depth, nor anything else in
all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus
our Lord.</span></span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There’s a
lot there!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And when
we mix it in with the picture of God we see in our Gospel this morning, it’s a
really powerful mix!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Does this
sound like GOOD NEWS to you? Do you
think you know anyone for whom it might be GOOD NEWS as well? How about everyone?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God so
loved who? THE WORLD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And here
is the hook! When you know this, you’re
on the hook to TELL THE STORY!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">For the
love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one
has died for all, therefore all have died;</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-28876">15 </span></sup></b>and he died for all, that those who
live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake
died and was raised.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><u><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">Therefore,</span></u></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.</span></span><span class="text"><sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-28878b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28878b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+cor+5&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28878b" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">b</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> The
old has passed away; behold, the new has come.</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> <span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-28879">18 </span></sup></b>All this is from God, who through
Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;</span></span> <span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-28880">19 </span></sup></b>that is, </span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>in Christ God was reconciling the world to
himself, not counting their trespasses against them</u></span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">,</span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> and
entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span id="en-ESV-28881">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><u><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">Therefore,</span></u></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> we
are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be
reconciled to God.</span>”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">AND
THE CAPSTONE: THE WHOLE STORY IN A
SENTENCE…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b><span class="text"><b><i><u><sup><span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span id="en-ESV-28882">21 </span></span></sup></u></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><u><span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no
sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.</span></u></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><u><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends, God loves us hilariously! No matter how small or how great we feel; no matter what we’ve done or not done; no matter the volume of the accusations, the
name calling, or the slop we’re into!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">God
LOVES US – GOD LOVES YOU – <u>PERIOD! </u><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">And
one small step back in the opposite direction, brings God running to scoop you
up in His arms. To welcome you home, to put on a feast – to come in and eat
supper with you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Your
place of exile can become your place of acceptance and belonging!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">And
friends, once we’ve experienced this kind of extravagant, hilarious love for
us, how can we not share it with everyone we meet?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">How
can we not! “the love of Christ compels us!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Pray
with me:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Lord
Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross,
that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace! <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">So
clothe us with Your Spirit, that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may
bring those who do not know you, to the knowledge and love of you, for the
honor of your Name!</span></i><span style="font-family: Segoe UI, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></span>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-42732282534539770112022-01-16T08:14:00.000-07:002022-01-16T08:14:54.037-07:002nd Sunday in Epiphany - Shining with Jesus<p><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JAN 16, 2022</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
FR. PHIL EBERHART<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>SHINE !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LET JESUS SHINE!</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Epiphany is about the showing forth
of light – it’s about “shining!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last
week I talked about both fragrance and light – we are being called to be both
in our world, and specifically in our neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yesterday’s Texas standoff at a
local synagogue seems to highlight the need for us to stand strong with our neighbors
against antisemitism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why you
see an Israeli flag on our pole under the American flag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want our message to be clear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This morning I want to talk about
light … and about mirrors.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus is the LIGHT and we are the
mirror!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In John’s gospel Jesus is talking
to the disciples before his death, as they are walking to the Garden of
Gesthemane in fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they walk through
the local vineyards on the hillside east across the Kidron Valley from the Temple
mount in Jerusalem, Jesus is pointing out a reality they are all familiar
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vines and branches; grapes and
wine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Jn 15 we speaks to our need for
intimate attachment – Jesus calls it “abiding in the vine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to make His point here this morning,
when He said “apart from Me you can do nothing!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The effectiveness – even the usefulness
– of a mirror is entirely dependent upon a couple things – its orientation
(which way it’s pointed) and its clarity (is it clean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That affects the reflection).<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>Oriented toward the Light!</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends, we have to have our own
faces fixed on Jesus in order to be the reflective surfaces that He needs for
His ministry today to illumine the World!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul, in talking about this, put it
this way:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2 Cor 3:18 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And
all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though
reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one
degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Passion reads:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">18 </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">We can all draw close to him with the veil removed
from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly
reflect the glory of the Lord </span>Jesus<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span> We are being transfigured</span> into
his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And
this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.</i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For us, having the veil removed,
actually emphasizes the fact that we are “face to face.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and over throughout the Old Testament,
from the Aaronic Blessing to a multitude of other references we are told that
God wants to be FACE TO FACE with us – to see us for who we are and for us to
see Him in His fullness and glory!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is our position when we are Face
to face with Jesus that allows us to become (be transformed or transfigured –
the Greek word is “metamorphosis.”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
transformation is preceded by our being trans-fixed by his glory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John said it in one of his later letters:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 Jn 3:3 Look with wonder at
the depth of the Father’s marvelous love that he has lavished on us! He has
called us and made us his very own beloved children.<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11865a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> The reason the world doesn’t recognize
who we are is that they didn’t recognize him.<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11865b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> <sup>2 </sup>Beloved, we are
God’s children right now; however, it is not yet apparent what we will become.
But we do know that when it<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11866c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> is finally made visible,<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11866d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup> we will be just like him, for we will
see him as he truly is. <sup>3 </sup>And all who focus their hope on
him will always be purifying<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11867e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</sup> themselves,<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11867f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]</sup> just as Jesus is pure.<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%203&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11867g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There’s gonna be a lot of shinin’
goin’ on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is just the plan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is all part of the Master’s
Masterplan!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you heard that God has
a “wonderful plan for your life” – this is it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>WE WILL BE JUST LIKE HIM!<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Any mirror that reflects, will reflect
perfectly what it “sees.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What it is
oriented towards it reflects in all its glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So let us orient our lives so that we are “face to face” with Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But that “perfect reflection” is
also based on purity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How clean is your
mirror?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the mirror has spots on it or
dirt or fingerprints it cannot do its appointed job!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, our lives are only a clear
reflection of Jesus when our character – when our mirror – is clean – pure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now you need to know that I’m not
trying to send you on a “sin hunt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BUT <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when you notice spots or grime on the mirror, it’s
a good thing to do some cleansing work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are there things in your life that seem to be getting in the way of a
clear reflection of Jesus to others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fear?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personal habits?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sinful behaviors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is another place that talks
about a mirror in Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James tells
us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talk a lot about The Hand illustration –
Hear, Read, Mark, Learn and Inwardly Digest!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But all of those are of no value if they don’t sink down into our Heart,
out to our Hands and down to our Feet!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">James 1:21-25<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="color: black;">21 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;">So
this is why we abandon everything morally impure</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11574q" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11574q" title="See footnote q">q</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11574q" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote q"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">q</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;"> and
all forms of</span></i></b></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i> wicked conduct.</i></b></span><span class="text" style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11574r" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11574r" title="See footnote r">r</a>]"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11574r" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote r"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">r</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text" style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i> Instead,
with a sensitive spirit</i></b></span><span class="text" style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11574s" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11574s" title="See footnote s">s</a>]"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11574s" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote s"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">s</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text" style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i> we
absorb God’s Word, </i></b></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;">which has been implanted within our nature, for the Word of
Life has power to </span></i></b></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;">continually deliver us.</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11574t" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11574t" title="See footnote t">t</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11574t" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote t"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">t</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span id="en-TPT-11575"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="color: black;">22 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;">Don’t
just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to it, for that is the essence
of self-deception. So always let his Word become like poetry written and
fulfilled by your life!</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11575u" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11575u" title="See footnote u">u</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11575u" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote u"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">u</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span></span><b><i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span id="en-TPT-11576"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="color: black;">23 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;">If
you listen to the Word and don’t live out the message you hear, you become like
the person who looks in the mirror of the Word to discover the reflection of
his face in the beginning.</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11576v" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11576v" title="See footnote v">v</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11576v" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote v"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">v</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;"> </span><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-TPT-11577">24 </span></sup>You perceive how
God sees you in the mirror of the Word,</i></b></span></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11577w" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11577w" title="See footnote w">w</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11577w" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote w"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">w</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;"> but
then you go out and forget</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11577x" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11577x" title="See footnote x">x</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11577x" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote x"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">x</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;"> your
divine origin. </span><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-TPT-11578">25 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="color: black;">But<i>
those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting law of liberty</i></span></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11578y" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11578y" title="See footnote y">y</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11578y" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote y"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">y</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: black;"> are
fascinated by and respond to the truth they hear and are strengthened by
it—they experience God’s blessing in all that they do!</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11578z" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11578z" title="See footnote z">z</a>]"><span style="color: black; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11578z" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote z"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">z</span></a>]</span></sup></i></b></span></span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In the very next verse James goes
on to warn his hearers that<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;"><sup><br /></sup></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><sup>26 </sup>If someone believes they have a relationship with God but
fails to guard his words then his heart is drifting away and his religion is
shallow and empty.</i> <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our culture in America for a long
time has approached faith as a kind of “hobby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it has become a matter of life or death,
-- of eternal life and eternal death, for us and for others!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends, if we are the reflection
of Jesus in the world, as He said in <br />
Matt 5:17 it may be time for us to do a “reflection check.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus is the Light of the
World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all believe that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s another step to understand that His
light is only reflected to the world through our actions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus said it best as I referenced
a moment ago:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Let your light so shine before men
that they may see your good words and give glory to your Father, who is in
heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The source of our transformation
comes from Christ’s glory, and the destination we are brought to is more glory.
The transforming glory is the result of gazing upon the beauty and splendor of
Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We become transfixed by His
glory and then are transformed/transfigured into His image by that glory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m reminded of an old song that we
sang over Val’s mom as she went to be with Jesus – her sisters were with her
mom and we were on the phone on her pillow that night singing this song:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color: #385723; font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Turn your eyes upon Jesus<br />
look full in His wonderful face<br />
and the things of earth<br />
will grow strangely dim,<br />
in the light of His glory and grace!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sing it with me…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s pray together as we did last week:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Semibold",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">87. For Participation in the Peace of God <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(BCP 2019, P. 672)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>In the Tradition of Francis of Assisi <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord, make me an instrument of your
peace: <br />
where there is hatred, let me sow love; <br />
where there is injury, pardon; <br />
where there is discord, union; <br />
where there is error, truth; <br />
where there is doubt, faith; <br />
where there is despair, hope; <br />
where there is darkness, light; <br />
where there is sadness, joy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">O divine Master, grant that I may
seek <br />
not so much to be consoled as to console, <br />
to be understood as to understand, <br />
to be loved as to love.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For it is in giving that we receive, <br />
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, <br />
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-55236796047440991492022-01-09T07:50:00.001-07:002022-01-09T07:50:43.596-07:00Epiphany -- Fragrance & Light: Small Things done with Great Love<p> <b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First Epiphany<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">January 9, 2022<br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil Eberhart</span></b></p>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-a6454192-7fff-9f3d-09a5-bf95fa14a959"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isa 60:1-9</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ps 72:1-11 </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eph 3:1-13 </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt 2:1-12</span></p></span><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><br /> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>Fragrance
& Light: Small things done in Great
love…</u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This past
Thursday was The Feast of the Epiphany and our readings this morning are those
readings transferred to today, which is the feast of The Baptism of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we enter into the Season of Epiphany, I
want to set the tone for the year now in 2022, by reflecting on some words that
were spoken to me, and I believe, to US recently.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just a
few weeks ago we adopted the streets to the north of us here to pray over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us drove those streets, some walked
those streets, and some prayed over them virtually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whichever way you engaged that enterprise, I
am convinced that it should <u>continue and expand</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here at
REZ we believe in prayer – actually that is one of the things I and WE are
known for across the city!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are known
for this Altar that overlooks the cityscape of DTC and Denver Metro and the
mountains beyond;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are known for the
bible that sits on our altar day after day and for the practice of “executing
Scripture” – of reading it aloud over the city.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are
spiritual things that happen when we do that simple act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Sacramental Christian Worshippers we
believe that things are established when we pray, when we recite prayers and
when we read the Words of Scripture, together or alone, out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a hallmark of our service here each
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear more scripture than almost
any other church in the world, every week!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are
known for 24 hour prayer, because of the Spring and Fall <u>10 Days Together</u>
and because of <u>Colorado Prays</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have a priority for prayer in this place, like Jesus did when he said <i>“My House
shall be a House of Prayer for ALL the Nations!”<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are
known for having many nations worshipping here on this hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both within our parish and in the other
churches that worship in our building, we represent a “sacrament” of <i>“every
tribe, and tongue, and nation and people, gathered around the throne of God!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we
went out into the neighborhood north of us for our Hannukah Caroling party with
the other churches, we became known in that neighborhood, and the response was
amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>“My faith
in humanity is restored!”</i> one exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>“Who are
you people?”</i> many asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though many
churches took part, all answered as ONE, “We are the REZ people from across on the hill.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Others
commented about our work on the building and on the land; we are known and
appreciated in the neighborhood for doing what we have done, what God has done,
with this property!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><u>FRAGRANCE</u></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All that
said, I want to share just a couple of scriptures with you as an intro into 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first word that God gave me last month
was “fragrance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scriptures speak of
us being the “fragrance of Jesus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2
Cor 2:14 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as
partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the
fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go. <sup>15 </sup>We have
become the <u>unmistakable aroma of the victory of the Anointed One
to God</u>—<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’ve had
some time to study a little bit about fragrance in the weeks following that
word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the things that has struck
me is how little it takes for us to be such a fragrance to the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flying a flag on our flag pole;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>singing a song or two on a porch;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>following a plan for the redevelopment of
this land and the completion of our renovation and renewal of this hilltop
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a short journey of 4 years
since Easter of 2018, this church is beginning to have an effect on the
neighborhood, and we will do this more and more in the coming year and in the
years ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FRAGRANCE
only takes about 8 parts per million for us to smell it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason I say that is for us to realize
that our success isn’t in the throngs that come through our door, like a retail
store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our success is from the scent of
Jesus that emanates from this place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
success is because of <u>SMALL THINGS DONE WITH GREAT LOVE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">LIGHT</span></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The other
word that God consistently has spoken over us is LIGHT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are a light on this Hill!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If it
were dark in this room, the lighting of a single candle, though it is small,
would eventually illuminate this entire space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God has made our eyes responsive to light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a small light in the darkness will
attract our attention.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I don’t know
if you’ve noticed, but this church property is now <u>the brightest place on
Belleview! </u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at the center of it,
a cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Cross that shines at night!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A light
shining on a hill!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard Jesus say
something about that in a sermon once:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Matt
5:14-16 - The Passion Translation<br /> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Your
lives light up the world. For how can you hide a city that stands on a hilltop? <sup> </sup>And
who would light a lamp and then hide it in an obscure place? Instead, it’s
placed where everyone in the house can benefit from its light. <sup> </sup>So
don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that your
commendable works will shine as light upon them, and then they will give
their praise to your Father in heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />Friends,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is calling us and equipping us to be
light and fragrance in this place.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is
the simple call that I place before you for 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be the light!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be the fragrance of Jesus to others.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Small
things done in great love</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> can make all the difference in our world and in our neighborhood
around us, and wherever we are.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is
a prayer from the prayer book we pray at lease once each week in Morning Prayer
– it comes from St. Francis of Assisi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
I’d like you to pray it after me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
pray it phrase by phrase, so we get it all!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">LET US
PRAY:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">87. For
participation in the peace of God</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[BCP 2019; P. 672]</span></i><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the
Tradition of Francis of Assisi <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord, make me an instrument of your
peace: <br />
where there is hatred, let me sow love; <br />
where there is injury, pardon; <br />
where there is discord, union; <br />
where there is error, truth; <br />
where there is doubt, faith; <br />
where there is despair, hope; <br />
where there is darkness, light; <br />
where there is sadness, joy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">O divine Master, <br />
grant that I may seek <br />
not so much to be consoled as to console, <br />
to be understood as to understand, <br />
to be loved as to love. <br />
<br />
For it is in giving that we receive, <br />
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, <br />
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. <br />
<br />
Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-52187815558337767152021-12-25T20:57:00.001-07:002021-12-25T20:57:36.571-07:00Christmas Eve 2021 - WONDER!!<p> Christmas Eve<br />Dec 24, 2021<br />Fr. Phil Eberhart</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hurry,
hurry, hurry…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shop till you drop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it just me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like Christmas snuck up on me a
little bit this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here we
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas eve!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It takes
work to keep from being sucked into the vortex, that seems to start earlier and
earlier each year, depending on how desperate the economy and the retailers are
to get their bite of the Christmas pie!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But on
this night, hopefully, in some way, all that drops away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had it dark and candlelit at the beginning
so that you would have that sense of “wonder” that comes with these services
and celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll go back to it
with full candlelight after communion tonight as we all light our candles and
sing “Silent Night – Stille Nacht.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><u>WONDER</u><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s kind
of a child’s special habitation, isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our granddaughter is here tonight and we get to spend about a day a week
with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more she grows the more
she wants to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more she
experiences of life, the more she wants to experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m finding it difficult to keep up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wonder…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is
a lot here to wonder at tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
just the beauty of the evening, the music, the candlelight and the trees, the
presents when you get home or in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All this is window dressing, like these candles in the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the lights on the trees, it’s all a
twinkle, signifying something that is the real object of “wonder.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W O N D E R !!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wonder
that this night even exists at all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is a testimony of the unfailing love of God that we can celebrate this
night!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John the Baptist referred to
Jesus as “The Lamb of God”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we’re going to sing that little song<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “little
lamb” that Mary had, John said, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was “slain
from the foundation of the world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
heard a song this past few weeks that said “The Cross is the reason for Christmas!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was a gift of unimaginable love and
sacrifice by His Father, to us – to all humankind – to the whole world that God
SO LOVED.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER AT
GOD’S LOVE…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why 2000
+ years later do we remember this night that was…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silent … Holy …<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Awesome …
History changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>World shaking … yet,
almost invisible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the whole host of
heaven in attendance and here come 3 -4 shepherds and later, three wise men,
with gifts from the east, guided by a star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is
one crazy story!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER AT
GOD’S WAYS…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He tells
us that His ways are higher than our ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That His thoughts are higher than ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God sees the end from the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nothing is ever out of his view, past, present or future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s for that reason that we can trust in Him
and in His goodness in planning for each one of us here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no accidents!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER AT
HOW BIG GOD IS …<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You can
trust Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact He invites that
trust, over every little particular in your life, from parking spots to having
kids;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from cocoons and butterflys to
governments and world peace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has it
all in view, nothing escapes… ever.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The smallest
decisions you have to make and the life-altering, once-in-a-lifetime defining
moments are all in His Hands.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER AT
TRUSTING HIM…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus the
baby is God Almighty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Creator of the
Universe in swaddling clothes and lying in a feeding trough in a barn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up on a farm, so I know what that
means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a gritty picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One that combined all the lowness of the
lowly, with all the glory that heaven and earth could muster – angels, wise men
or foreign dignitaries attending – right next to shepherds, and peasant s, a
carpenter attended by kings!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER AT
WORSHIPING …<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All the
best that has come in human history has come as the issue of this night!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cathedrals,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Science, mathematics, technology, medicine,
hospitals, missionaries, education, schools, colleges, music – Handel’s
Messiah!!...<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The list can
go on and on…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>almost everything we take
for granted in our world, especially here in the USA, has risen out of this
NIGHT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not kidding.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Isaiah
said it nearly 3000 years ago in his prophetic words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For
unto us a Child is born,</span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Unto us a Son is given;</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">And the government will be upon His shoulder.</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">And His name will be called</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><sup><span style="background: white;"><span id="en-NKJV-17837" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">7 </span></span></sup><span style="background: white;">Of the
increase of His government and peace</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">There will be</span></span><span style="background: white;"> no
end,</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">To order it and establish it with judgment and justice</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">From that time forward, even forever.</span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
</span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The zeal of the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> of hosts will perform this.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER
AT HOW GOD LOVES YOU AND ME…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">AT
HOW HE HAS FILLED OUR LIVES WITH GOOD THINGS…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">AT
HOW HE IS IN CONTROL OF THE THINGS THAT CONCERN US…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">AT
THE LOWLY BABE IN A MANGER…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">THE
GOD OF THE UNIVERSE – OF ALL CREATION…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
HUMAN BABY – 9 MONTHS IN MARY’S WOMB,<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">EVEN
RECOGNIZED AS THE “LORD” THERE BY JOHN AND ELIZABETH!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER…<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">EVERY
GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT COMES DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">AND
HE TOOK ON OUR FLESH AND MADE HIS TABERNACLE AMONG US.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">WONDER… </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">LET US PRAY:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Almighty
God, Father of all mercies, <br />
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and
loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. <br />
<br />
We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this
life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world
by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. <br />
<br />
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly
thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in
our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to
whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages.
Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-31018814915222722582021-12-19T08:14:00.000-07:002021-12-19T08:14:49.969-07:00Advent IV - A QUESTION OF OBEDIENCE<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Advent IV<br />
Dec 19, 2021<br />
Fr. Phil Eberhart<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A Question of Obedience<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
ever questioned something that you felt God say to you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Most
people would say that they have never actually heard God speak to them, and
even fewer have ever encountered angels speaking in their prayer times! This morning I want to share a couple
thoughts about the questions that Mary and Zechariah posed to the angel (same
angel) who spoke to them during their visitations from God. There is just a word or two difference, in
fact. But there is a world of difference
in those few words!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before this
morning’s gospel reading, in the earlier part of Luke 1, Mary is visited by Gabriel,
the Archangel, the “messenger” of God and told that she will become pregnant,
supernaturally – [overshadowed by the Holy Spirit] – and that she will bear a
son, calling his name Yeshua / Jesus.
Upon hearing this pronouncement, that we call The Anunciation, Mary had
a question. Like many of us, the question
was not one of disbelief, but an inquiry about the ways & means: “How shall this be?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Often in
our lives, when God is leading us, the ways and means are obscure, until the
time is full and the prophetic word is full-filled, in God’s way, and in God’s
time. We are not unacquainted with this
process in our own lives, nor in our life together here at REZ. It seems that the most common question in our
life, perhaps, has been, “How shall this be?”
Not a sacrament of unbelief, but a simple question of ways and
means. We are required to go forward,
walking ”by faith, not by sight!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary’s
question took into account the reality of her situation as a young, unmarried
maiden, a “virgin.” The HOW question
loomed large in her mind. It was a very practical issue, and one that bore
considerable consequence for her future and for her daily life in the community
in Nazareth. Assumptions will be made,
and this will be difficult in our small town!
<i>(You know small towns – everybody knows everybody else’s business, and
what they don’t know, they make up!)</i>
I’m certain that Nazareth was no different – some things NEVER change!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Perhaps
that is why the trip to see Elizabeth.
Life is just easier if you put some distance between you and the rumor
mill! Easier for you, easier for Joseph,
easier for everyone. So a tri-mester
away seems like a good idea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So let’s
consider Zechariah for a minute, and his encounter with the same angel,
Gabriel, the messenger of God. Zechariah
was going about his duties as a priest in worship, burning incense in the
temple. He was faithful to fulfill the works
of the law – a shining example of the Old Covenant righteousness. It says he was doing his duty and that he and
Elizabeth lived blamelessly! Zechariah,
and later his son, John, were the last of the temple worship and the prophets,
before the coming of Jesus and the New Covenant Kingdom of God. The Law & the Prophets are about to give
way to a NEW COVENANT, a NEW COMMANDMENT, and a NEW (GREAT) COMMISSION. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
Zechariah, asked his question of Gabriel in a different way than Mary did! His words told a different tale: “How shall I know this to be certain? How shall I know your words to be true?” (The Message asks: “Do you expect me to
believe this?”) Zechariah places his
doubt in the forefront, and was, shall we say, IN YOUR FACE, with Gabriel! Gabriel recognizes it for what it is, and
Zechariah comes away from the meeting unable to speak at all – until the time
He confirms that the baby’s name will be John.
Until he comes into full obedience to the word he received from Gabriel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What we
read here in Luke 1 are the intimate details of these visitations and the
different responses of the hearers. </span></b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(It was likely that these stories were recounted to Luke
personally by Mary herself, in later years, as he began to write this account.)</span></i><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God’s
will was not hindered by Zechariah’s unbelief, but his experience was very
different from Mary’s willing obedience:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Be it
unto me according to thy word!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our liturgical
tradition has two songs or canticles in it’s Morning & Evening Prayer
offices that rise from these two encounters:
The Song of Zechariah, a.k.a. <i>The Benedictus (BCP, 19) </i>and The
Song of Mary or <i>The Magnificat (BCP, 45).</i> Each
song came after their individual obedience to the Word of God, Mary’s immediately
and Zechariah’s upon the birth of John and his naming.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I guess
the question I have for us this morning is when can we sing our song?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think
that God wants to give us each a song – one that celebrates the destiny of His
purposes in our life. One that tells the
story of His ways and means, of His faithfulness to both call and equip us to
do His will in the world. One that celebrates
what God has accomplished through simple obedience, as a result of our
willingness of heart and availability to Him – walking by faith, not by sight!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If there
is a lesson from Luke 1 it is the difference between responding in faith [Be it
unto me according to Thy Word] and responding in unbelief [You expect me to
believe that?]. Unbelief is <u>always</u>
a limiting factor to the plans of God.
It was even for Jesus, as he continued to encounter it later in his hometown! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But faith…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Simple
faith, taking God at His Word even though we wonder about the <i>how,</i> moves
mountains! As Gabriel said to Mary, <i>“Nothing
shall be impossible to God!”</i> (1:37)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us
consider our response to God, as He encounters us day by day. God is speaking – are we listening in faith
and obeying? Are we willing, available, <u>AND</u>
obedient?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us
pray:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">115. for
the Coming of God’s Kingdom <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hasten, O
Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now
live by [obedient] faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in
glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;">A
Covenant Prayer</span></span></u></i></b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;">by John Wesley</span></span></i></b></div></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;">I
am no longer my own, but thine.</span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;"><i>Put me to what thou wilt,</i></b></div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><div style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><b style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;"><i>rank me with whom thou wilt.</i></b></div><span style="color: red;"><div style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Put me to doing, put me to suffering.</i></b></div><div style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,</i></b></div><i><div style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>exalted for thee or brought low for thee.</i></b></div><div style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Let me be full, let me be empty.</i></b></div><div style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Let me have all things, let me have nothing.</i></b></div>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>I
freely and heartily yield all things</i></b></span></span></div><span style="line-height: 107%;"><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>to thy pleasure and disposal.</i></b></span></span></div><i><span style="color: red;"><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And now, O glorious and blessed God,</span></span></i></b></div></span><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,</span></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">thou art mine, and I am thine.</span></span></i></b></div></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So be it.</span></span></i></b></div></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And the covenant which I have made on earth,</span></span></i></b></div></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">let it be ratified in heaven.</span></span></i></b></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div>
</span><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">AMEN</span></i></div></span></i><!--[endif]--></span>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-71928417106272540142021-12-05T08:09:00.000-07:002021-12-05T08:09:13.646-07:00Advent II - The Word Made Flesh (Fr. Phil Eberhart)<p><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Advent II</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dec 5,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil
Eberhart<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We seem
to live today in a world of polls and pollsters – trying to “read the mind” of
the everyday man or woman on the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From questions on history to questions on faith and belief, everyone seems
to want to know what everyone else thinks about subjects that matter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once
again, our collect has spoken to us about the vigilant faithfulness and the
process that we need to embark on to see that the Word of God truly takes root
in our lives and bears fruit in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember your hand illustration:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And our
prayer we just heard at the beginning of the service:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our
learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest
them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and
ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in
our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hear
them; read them; mark them; learn them, and inwardly digest them!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And I’ve
spoken to this recently, so this morning I want to go beyond to the WHY…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let me
tell you why its so important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This past
week on our clergy call, Bishop Bill introduced us to some research done last
year at Arizona Christian University’s Cultural Research Center, in
collaboration with pollster, George Barna, regarding the state of Christian
beliefs in our nation.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Though I
hate these things, let me lay out a few statistics for us:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Inside
the American Church the prevailing belief is that people are basically good and
that you can “work” your way to Heaven in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One study discovered a waning of belief in
the sinless divinity of Jesus, and confusion on the persons of the
Trinity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many are muddled on the moral
issues of our day, unclear on how the Holy Scriptures speak to certain “hot
topics” in our culture.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I read
yesterday that the Bible is being put on trial in Finland, as “hate speech.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We’ve had
that statute in the Colorado laws for the last half decade!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not new news!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One of
the conclusions of the studies of the Worldview Center was that we have
substituted <i><u>“moralistic, therapeutic deism”</u></i> for Biblical
Christianity in much of the American Church today.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Moralism</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> is taking up the political causes of
our day as a way to build your “stairway to heaven.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is undergirded by the straw foundation of
tolerance and relativistic humanism which is rampant in our educational system
and popular culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moralism bends
truth to its own shape, and unbendingly forces opposition views to submit. It
is tolerant only of its own opinion!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Therapy</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> is something that is good, in most
ways, but when it becomes the middle leg of our faith, it has overtaken its
scope of usefulness and threatens to usurp God Himself, as we look to our
therapist or our sharing group for all the answers to life and living.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Deism</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> is the most dangerous of all, as it
relegates God to “somewhere, out there!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Bette Midler god, who is watching us from a distance, but is either
too aloof or too powerless to intervene and make a difference in our everyday
lives. And we don’t really want that kind of God anyway, because when He shows
up, He usually messes things up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like
to be in control after all, and an actual God who thinks He’s in charge is very
messy and inconvenient.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And so,
by in large, in broad strokes, our American Christian worldview has been
watered down to such a degree that it is powerless and useless – something to
be discarded by the cultural “revolution” that seems to be in ascendancy right
now in America.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So Why is
it important for us to <i>“hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest”</i>
the Holy Scriptures in our day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because they inform and should FORM
our worldview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worldview is just what it
says it is – <i>how we ‘see’ the world around us. </i>In what terms and by what
definitions do we “live and move and have our being?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are they based on <u>Truth</u>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they provide an actual <u>Way</u> to live
according to that truth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And is that <u>Life</u>
going to reach a certain end and leave a legacy of positive fruitfulness in its
wake?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is only ONE who said HE was
THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He
is the Living Word!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because the Scriptures link us to the
God who speaks through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t hear,
read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them because we “have to” but because we “get
to” and more so, “need to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Communication is the key to all relationship, both in our present mortal
life, with spouses and friends, co workers and strangers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also the key to our IMMORTAL
relationships with Almighty God, the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
who has made a way for us to have ‘access’ to Him, through His Son, by the
power of His Spirit.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because the Scriptures, if obeyed,
will lead us on the path to everlasting life, beginning today! Everlasting life
is not simply a life with the time-stamp removed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a life of quality; of value; of
meaning; of real significance, that begins NOW! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A life that is “marked as Christ’s own forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kind of life is an examined life, where
the Word is <i>“living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword, discerning
the depths of our motivations, down deep to joints and marrow, to the thoughts
and intentions of the heart.” (Heb 4).<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Because the Scriptures are the only
instrument of renewal and revelation that we have at our disposal. When we
leave them, we leave behind the anchor for our souls and place ourselves at the
whim of wind and wave.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They provide us with correct teaching, with appropriate
rebuke, with needed correction and practical training in righteousness. (2 Tim 3:16)<br />
They are the renewing force for our minds, as we gain more and more the “mind
of Christ” and are transformed into His image from glory to glory!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And finally, the Word of God is the
sure foundation; the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who dwelt
among us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the exact image of the
invisible God and our relationship with Him in salvation, is the only WAY to
the Father and ultimately to our heavenly reward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this isn’t about “pie in the sky by and
by!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is about the living of a life
in which the “precious promises” have enabled us to become “partakers of the
divine nature!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine what the world
would look like from that worldview!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peter tells us:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends, add to
your faith:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Goodness or Moral Virtue: </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #212529; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt; line-height: 107%;">integrity, virtues of courage, nobleness, and vigorous moral
valor.</span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Add to
that…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Knowledge:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">of God’s ways, of God’s Word, Intelligence,
Understanding<br />
<br />
<b>Self-control; Temperance… </b></span><span style="background: white; color: #0a0a0a; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">(the virtue of one who masters his desires and
passions, especially his sensual appetites</span>)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Patience, Steadfastness, Constancy, Endurance <br />
</span></b><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">the characteristic of a man who is not swerved
from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the
greatest trials and sufferings</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Godliness,
Holiness, Piety towards God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Brotherly
Love, Kindness<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="background: #F9FAFB; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">the love in which Christians cherish each other
as brethren</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unconditional Love, AGAPE, or OT <i>HESED: Unfailing Love<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now
listen to the promises after these verses:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif;">8 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 17.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Since these virtues are already </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">planted</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> deep within,</span></span><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11772s" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11772s" title="See footnote s">s</a>]" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+pet+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11772s" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote s"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">s</span></a>]</span></sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 17.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> and you possess them in abundant supply,</span></span><sup data-fn="#fen-TPT-11772t" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TPT-11772t" title="See footnote t">t</a>]" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+pet+1&version=TPT#fen-TPT-11772t" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote t"><span style="color: #4a4a4a;">t</span></a>]</span></sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 17.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> they will keep you from being inactive or fruitless in
your pursuit of knowing Jesus Christ more intimately.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">[2Pe 1:8
NASB20] 8 For if these [qualities] are yours and are increasing, they do not
make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Put in
the positive:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If these qualities are
yours and are increasing, they will make and keep you useful and productive in
the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why do we
“hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest” the Word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because these “precious promises” will become
your power to “partake in the very nature of the Almighty God of the Universe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will begin to look like Jesus, which is
the whole enchilada of God’s plan for you and for this world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let us
pray:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">70. For
inner renewal through The Word (BCP 667)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gracious
God and most merciful Father, you have granted us the rich and precious jewel
of your holy Word: Assist us with your Spirit, that the same Word may be
written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us
according to your own image, to build us up and edify us into the perfect
dwelling place of your Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly
virtues; grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-48685029686852523382021-10-31T08:29:00.000-06:002021-10-31T08:29:08.140-06:00SHEMA, ISRAEL!<p> <b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">23<sup>rd</sup> Sunday after Pentecost</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oct 31, 2021</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
Fr. Phil Eberhart<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt;">Deut 6:1-9 </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt;">Ps 119:1-16 </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt;">Heb 7:23-28 </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt;">Mark 12:28-34</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shema Israel, ADONAI Eloheinu, ADONAI Echad</span></i></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">HEAR, O ISRAEL, THE LORD OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">These words form the central identity of the people of
God, the Jewish people, and in our Gospel lesson, Jesus himself, brings them
forward for us, to form our identity, as those grafted-in to the Olive tree of
Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They are written on every Jewish home, on the doorpost of
the house – they are carried in the minds and hearts of God’s people – they are
repeated at every gathering, as a part of every prayer time or teaching
session. They are sung and chanted, and repeated a thousand times a day around
the world!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the “magic” isn’t in the words, it’s in what follows:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Love Adonai your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And Jesus adds, <i>with all your mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">HEART – MIND – SOUL- STRENGTH<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How many here remember our hand illustration?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray that collect in a little more than a
month, during Advent now.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Turn your bulletin over and draw an outline of your hand:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now hold it up in front of your face.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The five parts of getting the Word of God from the outside
to the inside:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Little finger =<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>HEAR<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Write this scripture down inside the little finger on your
outline:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deut 6:4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Israel and for us it is the <u>starting
point.<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ring Finger: =<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>READ<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now write Joshua 1:8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Moses gives Joshua the key to his continued success as a
leader in Israel: </span></b><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "system-ui",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></sup></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">8 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This book of the Torah should
not depart from your mouth—you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you
may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will make your ways
prosperous and then you will be successful.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our Psalm for this morning highlights this aspect of the
hand:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Asking a question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>“How
shall a young man keep his way pure?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
taking heed thereto, according to Thy Word.” (sorry, I memorized it in KJV.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Middle Finger<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>=<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MARK<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is the point of underlining in your Bible?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does anyone here have one of “those” bibles?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a few of them. You know the ones –
that are all marked up, underlines, written in, with your own personal notes and
applications.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The best way to dig into the text is to notate it for yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you ever noticed that you can remember where
something is on the page, when you can’t remember the address?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Highlighting, underlining, colored pencils … whatever it
takes, my friends, is what you need to do to get it to jump out at you.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First Finger = LEARN<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Notice that our scripture in Deuteronomy gives us a
prescription for how to learn:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><sup><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">6 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">These words, which I am commanding you
today, are to be <u>on your heart</u>. <sup>7 </sup>You are to <u>teach
them diligently</u> to your children, and <u>speak of them</u> when you <u>sit</u>
in your house, when you <u>walk</u> by the way, when you <u>lie down</u> and
when you <u>rise up</u>. <sup>8 </sup>Bind them as a <u>sign on your
hand</u>, they are to be as frontlets between <u>your eyes</u>, <sup>9 </sup>and
write them on the <u>doorposts</u> of your house and on your <u>gates.</u><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So how do we learn the Word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By making it our focus!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Again Moses reminded Joshua: <i>Don’t let this Book of the
Law depart out of your mouth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David reminds us over and over in Psalm 19 and 119 about
the useful and beautiful treasures that are in The Word:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">7 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The law of the Lord is
perfect,<br />
reviving the soul;<br />
the decrees of the Lord are sure,<br />
making wise the simple;<br />
<sup>8 </sup>the precepts of the Lord are right,<br />
rejoicing the heart;<br />
the commandment of the Lord is clear,<br />
enlightening the eyes;<br />
<sup>9 </sup>the fear of the Lord is pure,<br />
enduring forever;<br />
the ordinances of the Lord are true<br />
and righteous altogether.<br />
<sup>10 </sup>More to be desired are they than gold,<br />
even much fine gold;<br />
sweeter also than honey,<br />
and drippings of the honeycomb.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And in Ps 119 – pretty much the whole of it – every one of
the 176 verses tells the same tale:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
glories of the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why do you think that this is the longest chapter in the
Bible?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Maybe because of the relative weight of the subject
matter!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But the final piece of this is “the clincher!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The THUMB = INWARDLY DIGEST !!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As useful as all the fingers of the hand are, they are
really quite powerless without the grasping capability of the Thumb!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meditation is what Moses encouraged Joshua to do.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The word Haga (haw-gaw) means to murmer or growl, like a
lion over its kill.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Meditation is likened to rumination – the chewing of the
cud by a cow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is swallowed and goes
into a first stomach but then is brought back up for more chewing and more
digestion, until finally it clears and goes into the body, fully digested.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friends, how do we love the Lord our God with all our
heart, soul, mind and strength??<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m not sure that we can over emphasize how important this
Word of God is to our life as a Christian!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul tells us that it is useful for Teaching, for
Rebuking, for Correcting and for Training in Righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Peter call these “great and precious promises, by which we
become partakers in the divine nature!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The writer of the Hebrew letter says these words are “sharper
than a two-edged sword; discerning to the depth of joints and marrow, of the
thoughts and intentions of our hearts!”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">James, warns us not to look into “the perfect law of
liberty” and then go away and forget what we look like!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is the Sword of the Spirit… used by God to make us more
like Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is the Light to our path … showing us the way we are to
walk in, day by day, moment by moment.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is our source of life, in the hand of the Living Word,
Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine
gold. Sweeter also than the honey, in the honeycomb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sing it with me:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine
gold;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sweeter also that the honey, in
the honeycomb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s pray.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Grant us,
Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and
even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those
that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gracious
God and most merciful Father, you have granted us the rich and precious jewel
of your holy Word: Assist us with your Spirit, that the same Word may be
written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us
according to your own image, to build us up and edify us into the perfect
dwelling place of your Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly
virtues; grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord
Jesus, Master Carpenter of Nazareth, on the Cross through wood and nails you
wrought our full salvation: Wield well your tools in this, your workshop, that
we who come to you rough-hewn may be fashioned into a truer beauty by your
hand; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world
without end. Amen.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Aharoni; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716627529614464637.post-19698053743934285552021-10-24T07:45:00.000-06:002021-10-24T07:45:30.875-06:00BUT GOD! <p> <b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">22<sup>nd</sup>
Pentecost</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oct 24,
2021<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fr. Phil
Eberhart<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Isa 59:9-20 </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ps 13 </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Heb 5:11—6:12 </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Mark 10:46-52</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BUT GOD</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have you
ever wondered where God is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, you’ve
been in the press of life – you’re praying faithfully, but it seems like the
heavens are brass, reflecting the sound of your voice back to you – in an echo
chamber?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David was
having one of those days when he wrote Ps 13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a classic “lament” Psalm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“HOW
LONG, O LORD?” he cries out loudly. Four times in two verses he cries out…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HOW LONG…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">1 How long will you <u>utterly forget me,</u> O Lord? * How
long will you <i><u>hide your face</u></i> from me? 2 How long shall <i><u>I
seek counsel in my soul and be so vexed in my heart</u></i>? * How long shall <i><u>my
enemy triumph over me</u></i>?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Feeling
Forgotten by God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Feeling Hidden
from God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Feeling
Vexed by God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Feeling
like you’re losing,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All because
you begin to believe that God doesn’t care; He doesn’t hear you anymore (or
never did);<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe God has turned into an
enemy!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David’s
voice is sometimes our voice, isn’t it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is why I love the Psalms – David just lets it all hang out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He puts it all out on the table for us to see
and deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives our inner
thoughts and feelings a real voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
things we can’t or won’t say out loud, that roll around in our heads when we’re
hurting or discouraged or oppressed by life’s circumstances or by other people
around us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">How long,
O Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But David
moves on from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cannot stay in
that place for long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our psyche – our soul
cannot take a sustained campaign against it. We are not like a well-fortified
city with thick walls that protect us from life and other people – and if we
are we find our self-protection has become a self-imposed prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, we have to move out of our self
protective mode in life to move into health and wellness for our soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did David do it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">3 <i><u>Consider
and hear me, O Lord</u></i> my God; * <i><u>give light to my eyes</u></i>, that
I sleep not in death, 4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; *
for if I am cast down, those who trouble me will rejoice</span>.</span><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Things
begin to change if we feel we can be heard by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We might not like what God says all the time…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like the
guy that fell over a cliff and grabbed onto a tuft of grass on the cliff
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holding on for dear life he
started yelling, “Is any one up there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suddenly he hears a voice from above, “Let GO and Trust Me.” He thinks
for a second, and says, “IS ANYBODY ELSE UP THERE?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David’s
other petition is “Give Light to my eyes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is light in our lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Illumination…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowledge of what is TRUE… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or what is REAL.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David
later says that “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Ps 119:105)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a couple verses later David
acknowledges,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I am severely
afflicted. Give me life, O Lord, according to your Word.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Light and
thus, life, come through the Word of God, as we seek to see what is True and Real,
even in the midst of our darkest times.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, what
is the next step in this journey?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David
says it in both places:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Ps 119 the
next verse says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accept my offerings of
Praise, O Lord… and teach me your ordinances.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the
Lament of Ps 13, David turns his heart and mind 180 degrees:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">But my <i><u>trust
is in your mercy</u></i>, * and my <i><u>heart is joyful in your</u></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><u> salvation</u></i>.
<br /><br />
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">6 <b><i><u>I will sing</u></i></b> of the Lord, because he has dealt so
lovingly with me; * </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">indeed, <b><i><u>I will praise the Name of the Lord Most
High</u></i></b>.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s time
to call to mind what is true!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah,
in his darkest hour, in Lamentations, does this same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lamentations 3 is one of the darkest,
gloomiest tomes in the scriptures, but at the end of it we find the word of a
song we know as Great is Thy Faithfulness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first 20 verses are doom and gloom, then there is a BUT.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“But this
I call to mind, and therefore I have hope…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sing it with me:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His mercies never come to an end! <br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They are new every morning, new every morning,<br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord, Great is Thy Faithfulness.</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can
put our trust in God’s Mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
never ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
It is <u>Unfailing</u> Love = HESED<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BUT… GOD!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like the
man in our Gospel reading this morning, we know him as the Blind son of Timeus…
By the side of the road, begging for mercy, until he hears that Jesus is near…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><sup><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">47 </span></sup></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When he heard that it was Jesus of
Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, <u>have mercy on
me!</u>” <sup>48 </sup>Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he
cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, <u>have mercy on me!</u>”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BUT…
GOD!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you’re
in that place that David was this morning – or if you ever get to that place
where life has turned against you (and we all get there.) remember David, and
Jeremiah, and Bartimeus.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JESUS,
SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JESUS,
SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let’s
pray together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From our
collect again:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Almighty
and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: <u>Mercifully
hear</u> the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Great is
Thy Faithfulness<br />
Great is Thy Faithfulness<br />
Morning by morning new mercies I see!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All I
have needed Thy hand hath provided.<br />
Great is Thy Faithfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Great is
Thy Faithfulness<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Great is Thy
Faithfulness,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lord unto
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>Fr. Phil+http://www.blogger.com/profile/13572313721852736835noreply@blogger.com0